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Modern Languages

The ability to understand and communicate in another language is increasingly important in our society and in the global economy. Languages are a lifelong skill, to be used in business and for pleasure.

Staff
Head of Modern Languages:	Mr Alex Durkin BA PGCE
Heads of Departments:
French:	Mr Alex Durkin BA PGCE
German:	Mr Alex Durkin BA PGCE
Spanish:	Mr Alex Durkin BA PGCE
Mandarin:	Mrs Emma Cordwell BA (Hons) PGCE CELTA

The aims of the Modern Languages Department at Clifton College Preparatory School are:

• To encourage the children to communicate confidently in the language they are learning.
• To provide a solid foundation of basic grammar and vocabulary in each of the languages studied.
• To develop an awareness of the culture and traditions of the countries.
• To ensure that pupils enjoy and succeed in their language learning so that there is a genuine desire to continue studying the language beyond the Prep School.

Teaching Modern Languages

French:

In Year 4 pupils have two lessons of French per week. The approach is mainly oral, with songs and games. There is some reading and writing to reinforce the vocabulary.

Pupils have two lessons per week in Year 5 and from Year 6, three lessons per week.

From Y5 onwards pupils study Book 1 and Book 2 of the Expo course. This focuses equally on the four skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Most of Book 1 will be finished in Year 6, Book 2 in Year 7 and 8.

The teaching of grammar becomes more intensive in Years 7 and 8. At the end of Year 7, pupils sit a Common Entrance style examination, and they take the Upper School Transfer examination at the end of Year 8.

German, Mandarin, Spanish:

In Years 7 and 8, most pupils choose two of the following languages:

• French
• Spanish
• German
• Mandarin

They have three lessons per week in each of the two languages chosen. The four skills are developed in German, Spanish and Mandarin in the same way as in French. They are tested in a mock examination in Year 7 and an Upper School Transfer examination at the end of Year 8.

Languages trips

Languages trips are popular in the Pre. We offer trips to France, Spain, Germany and China.

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