Modern Languages department

Our overall aim is to make the study of Modern Languages at St Martin's an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all pupils whatever their ability.

In Year 6, we are pleased to be able to offer pupils a term of Spanish, German and Italian. This gives them an insight into other cultures and languages and helps them when choosing another Modern Language to learn at Senior School. We also offer boys in the Middles and Seniors the opportunity to learn Mandarin at a lunch-time Club.

The love of language learning, which we hope to engender in all our pupils, will be invaluable to them in their future lives. Communicating in another language, whether on holiday or at work, is a most useful as well as a highly satisfying experience.

Our Modern Language rooms contain PCs, interactive Smartboards, Satellite TV and other equipment all aimed at making communicating in another language natural and relevant. Day trips and residential trips to France, a French Day and an evening of French plays also bring language learning to life.

Lessons are as varied as possible and teaching is based on the four key skill areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Many lessons have a high oral content and we encourage pupils to be active and independent learners.

French is the main Modern Language taught, starting in Reception in the Pre-Prep and continuing through the Junior and Middle Schools to the Senior School where it is required as a subject for many Senior School Entry Examinations.