Modern Languages

The Modern Languages Faculty at St. Helen's offers French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese and Italian.

We aim to help all girls enjoy the excitement of being able to communicate in at least two foreign languages. We encourage independent learning through a variety of means using library and internet based resources.

Each language department teaches cultural awareness using film, literature, music and drama.

There are many opportunities for trips abroad to practise and perfect the language.

Trips include:

• French: Toulouse exchange, Sixth Form Paris trip and Work experience
• German: Heidelberg exchange, Aachen Christmas market, Berlin trip and Work experience in Heidelberg
• Italian: Vicenza exchange
• Japanese: Osaka exchange
• Spanish: Madrid exchange

There is an annual visiting theatre which stages French, German and Spanish plays. There are also opportunities to attend occasional cultural events in London.

Magazine resources can be purchased which will help to make the learning of the language enjoyable and authentic at all levels.

In Middle School, girls study two modern languages, choosing from French, German, Spanish and Mandarin; these languages can be continued right through to the Sixth Form. German is also available for beginners in Year 10 and Year 12. Italian and Japanese are offered to beginners in Year 12.

GCSE Italian and Japanese are offered to suitable candidates in Year 10.

Exam boards
GCSE French, German and Spanish: OCR
GCSE Italian and Japanese: Edexcel
AS/A2 French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese: Edexcel

International Baccalaureate: Standard and Higher level in French, German, Spanish and Italian
Beginners' ab initio level in Italian or Japanese