Modern Languages

In the Modern Languages Department at Merchant Taylors' we aim to teach modern languages to a high standard.  We aim to ensure that all our pupils, whichever language they are studying,

• understand the spoken language;
• speak fluently and confidently;
• are able to read a range of texts with confidence and ease; and
•  write accurately and idiomatically in a variety of registers.

Wherever possible we go beyond a purely functional view of language and aim (not just at 6th form level) at providing intellectual and linguistic challenges consistent with the abilities of the boys we teach.

French is taught from the 3rd Form (Year 7) while German, Italian and Spanish are also taught from the 4th Form (Year 9) and all languages are taught at AS/A2 level. Many boys choose one or two languages at AS level and go on to a full A level. Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese are also taught as part of the school's General Studies programme. Results are excellent with around 60% of boys gaining A* in a typical year at GCSE (90% A* and A) and around 60% of candidates also getting an A grade at A2 (92% grades A or B).

The 11 full time modern language teachers and 4 foreign language assistants are based in a modern purpose built block. We benefit from 3 digital language laboratories based on the Sony Virtuoso/Soloist software (which we were the first school to install in this country)  and make extensive use of ICT in our teaching at all levels. We regularly record online and satellite video and audio materials and we have interactive whiteboards in most classrooms. We subscribe to many of the best online resources for teaching languages including Authentik online, Baccalaureat.co.uk, Real French,! Oye¡, Zut! and Gut! and are developing our own web pages to provide pupils with links to all the best materials available.

We regularly organise outings to theatre and cinema, and boys are given the opportunity to go on study trips abroad, while 6th formers are offered the chance to do work experience in those countries.