“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”Nelson Mandela
At Bromley High School, learning a language plays a vital part in the curriculum and is compulsory up to GCSE. French, German and Spanish are taught across the board and our aim is to make learning a foreign language a stimulating and rewarding experience, guiding our pupils to communicate effectively, to gain confidence in the language and to work independently.
The department equips the pupils to develop their own understanding as well as the widening of their cultural awareness of other countries. The MFL department believes in the importance of bringing a language to life by spending time in the country in which it is spoken. Year 8 go to Le Touquet (France), Year 9 and 10 go on the German exchange to Brühl (Germany), on a French homestay to Chartres (France) and on a residential trip to Andalusia (Spain).
Years 7 - 9
The MFL curriculum develops the core skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing in two languages. In year 9 pupils have the option to continue with one or two languages at GCSE level.
All pupils in Year 7, 8 and 9 will study two Modern Foreign Languages. French, German and Spanish are offered at Bromley High. Before starting in September pupils will be asked to indicate their preferences for these languages by ranking their choices in order of preference. All pupils will be guaranteed their first choice of language and will be allocated a second language. All languages will be taught for 4 x 50 minutes a fortnight.
GCSE
In this wide ranging course candidates will continue with the four skills studying a variety of topics such as my family and friends, free-time activities, technology in everyday life, customs and festivals, where you live, lifestyle, social and global Issues, travel and tourism, current and future study and employment, as well as a rich range of tenses, grammar and new grammatical structures. Each skill is worth 25% in the GCSE examination.
Co-Curricular
As well as the exchanges we offer to France, Germany and Spain, the department runs Modern Language film clubs for Years 7, 10 and 11.
Last year, the German department also organised a trip to Berlin, in conjunction with the History department.