Modern Foreign Languages

The MFL department at BUCHS aims to inspire a life long love of languages in each student by providing an exciting, stimulating and relevant curriculum and learning environment. Students gain a working knowledge of 2 foreign languages and become familiar with the culture and traditions of the countries we learn about. There are many opportunities for students to experience a country first hand. We offer residential trips and visits to students of all ages. Sixth formers are given the opportunity to do work experience abroad.

All students will start learning French in Year 7. They have 6 hours of French a fortnight. As some students will have prior experience of language learning at Primary school, we aim to set students early in year 7 to allow appropriate rates of progress to be made. At the end of year 7, all students have the opportunity to spend a day in France, practising their newly acquired language skills! C’est super!

Students pick up their second language in year 8. German and Spanish are rotated every year. We attach as much importance to the second language as we do to the first. Students will therefore have more lessons in this second language in year 8. This allows students to reach an equal level in both languages by the end of year 8.

All students have access to our wonderful ICT facilities. We have electronic white boards in classrooms and all classes are timetable to have lessons in the MFL computer suite where we use a wide variety of resources to enthuse and inspire language learning.

Students continue to study both languages through to the end of year 9. It is compulsory for students to study a language at GCSE and students must choose which language they want to continue when they choose their options. Of course, we encourage students to choose both languages!!!

French, German and Spanish are all offered at AS and A level. Students study the language and culture in more depth and lessons include lively debates as well as work based upon independent research. Students are encouraged to complete work experience abroad and are allocated time with the language assistants to further improve their speaking skills.

We have three foreign language assistants in French, German and Spanish who work with small groups of students improving their speaking skills and helping to boost confidence. Language learning at BUCHs is a lively experience!

At both GCSE and A level we use the exam board OCR. We aim to support and motivate students so that they become confident learners and achieve all that they are capable of.

Department Links
Weblinks Database: Languages