Our MFL department strives to offer an exciting, dynamic French and Spanish curriculum to all Plantsbrook students, which not only broadens their horizons, but also increases their understanding of the building blocks of their own language. We introduce our pupils to French and Spanish culture through traditional customs, festivities, music, food, travel, sports personalities and celebrities. They study a range of themes relating to their own experiences and relate these to how other people live their lives in French and Spanish speaking countries worldwide. Our lessons are lively and engaging, allowing pupils to practise speaking, writing, listening and reading through a range of activities including games, quizzes, conversation and role play.

In Plantsbrook School, we strongly believe that learning a new language helps students to build confidence in communicating with others, expressing ideas in different ways and practising a range of interpersonal skills. Building knowledge of vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar allows pupils to learn more about English and improve comprehension skills in other subject areas. Developing communication skills equips them with strategies for understanding, using verbal and non-verbal skills such as gesture and expression. Transferable skills, such as spotting patterns and problem solving, can improve performance in other subjects.

In MFL, we love to keep languages fresh and alive, fostering curiosity for contemporary events, topical news items, songs and film, as well as the potential for careers and travel worldwide. Students in KS4 and KS5 continue to explore French and Spanish heritage whilst gaining fluency and experience in understanding and speaking in a different language. We live in a global, digital world with a wealth of apps, websites and online links offering French and Spanish at the click of a button. Studying languages in Plantsbrook opens new doors and shows pupils how they can use languages for real purpose when travelling, making purchases and communicating with others. ¡Vámanos! Allons-y!