Modern Foreign Languages

All pupils at St Michael's study a foreign language. In Year 7, all pupils study both French and German. Subsequently, they are required to make a guided choice as to which language to study in greater depth from Year 8 onwards.  The option system at the end of Year 9 allows for the study of the second language to GCSE level subject to sufficient demand.  All pupils are currently required to do at least one language at this level. 

Our principal aim is that pupils learn to use French or German as a means of real communication with others.  This is essential at a time when exciting opportunities exist for people of all ages to work and live in other countries, particularly within the European Community where mobility is steadily increasing.  Therefore, our pupils must acquire and develop, to the best of their ability, skills in understanding and producing the language in its spoken and written forms through listening, speaking, reading and writing.  The Modern Language Faculty uses up-to-date courses and materials in its communicative language teaching; these are constantly modified to suit the needs and ability of individual pupils.  Also, we encourage in our pupils a deeper understanding of the people and customs of countries other than their own.

In order to give pupils the opportunity to use their linguistic skills in "real life", and to gain a first-hand insight into life abroad, we organise educational visits abroad and encourage pen-friend contacts.