Languages

We teach Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) in order to foster in students a global perspective appropriate in an international setting, to provide students with practical language skills and to explore the cultural world learning another language opens up.

French is taught throughout our school, and Spanish is introduced in Key Stage 1. Our courses are very well resourced, and students use their own textbook from Year 2 onwards.

Courses are taught by dedicated specialist MFL teachers, not by the class teacher.

How do we teach Languages?

Throughout the school a wide variety of teaching styles are used to ensure each child reaches his or her potential and continues to be challenged. Music, art and ICT are integrated into the lessons as well as cultural studies to encourage children to have a global perspective, and of course, to ensure that language learning is fun. Grammar is introduced gradually and children are encouraged from an early age to be aware of the valuable foundations of the language.

French and Spanish

At Foundation and Key Stage 1 levels, emphasis is placed heavily on oral and listening skills. Written French is introduced in Year 1, and allows students to come to terms with new phonic sounds and accents. Topics covered relate to the world of young children, and are often dove-tailed with areas of study already being covered in regular lessons.

At Key Stage 2, students revise known topics, and complete work in new ones across all four macro skills (speaking, writing, reading and listening). This preparatory work from Year 3 to Years 5 and 6 provides an excellent foundation for accelerated French and Spanish studies as students enter their GCSE pathways.

At Key Stages 3, 4 & 5, students embark upon their IGCSE studies.  They use material from target language countries, high-quality listening exercises, structured internet research and CD-ROMs to accompany the purpose written textbooks in order to develop the confidence and language skills necessary for success at IGCSE, IB and beyond.

Latin

Latin is taught to all students Years 3, 4 and 5.  It aims to develop a sound basic vocabulary, a working understanding of Latin and English grammar (in order to better prepare students for foreign language studies) and to explore the world of Roman Britain some two thousand years ago.

LINK TO LANGUAGE ART MUSIC SCHOOL WEBSITE

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM LANGUAGES WEEK 2007

At the British School of Chicago, authentic experiences are a valuable support for the work that goes on within the classroom.  We have links with schools in Montreal, Spain and Costa Rica which enable pupils to communicate via ICT and by letter writing with young people of a similar age.  We also have an annual excursion to a target language country each year.

Quebec June 2007

Coming Soon..... Costa Rica May 2008