St Mary's School Calne
Modern Languages
"Languages are the pedigree of nations" (Dr Samuel Johnson)
Considering that 94% of the world’s population does not have English as a mother tongue and that young people’s linguistic skills are more and more in demand in their search for employment at home and abroad, we place the study of modern languages high on our list of priorities. We firmly believe that learning a language is an enjoyable experience as well as an important factor in helping pupils become global citizens, enabling them not only to acquire knowledge and skills in a foreign language but also to broaden their minds, giving them the tools necessary to rise to new challenges both in their own country and abroad.
The Department comprises 4 full-time and 3 part-time teachers and 3 foreign language assistants. As well as the main languages, the Department also offers Italian, Japanese, Russian and Chinese at both GCSE and A Level.
GCSE
French, Spanish and German are introduced in the first three years with at least one of these being continued to GCSE Level. Our more able linguists start their GCSE course in French and Spanish in Year 9 and sit the examination a year early. We study the Edexcel GCSE course.
AS and A Level
AS and A Level are popular courses at St Mary's. We also prepare students for Oxbridge and for the AEA (Advanced Extension Award) with many of our linguists going on to study languages at university. We follow the Edexcel Board specification.
We have an exciting programme of extra-curricular activities which complement the work carried out in the classroom: theatre visits, lectures and courses are organised and we take girls abroad on a regular basis. We have an exchange with a school in Paris in Year 9 and a Maths/French cross-curricular trip for our Year 8. History, PE and French also combine for a trip to Normandy whilst we visit the German Christmas market in Aachen and send our ski team to race in Flaine. We also organise work experience abroad for those studying for their A Level.
