Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Languages is a hugely varied multidisciplinary field, ranging over languages, literature, film, history, philosophy and politics. The unique breadth of the subject provides a wonderfully enriching and stimulating intellectual experience, and very valuable training in rigorous, flexible thought over the course of learning to speak, write, listen to and read in other languages.

At CLC, the Modern Languages Department is one of the largest of any school in the UK. The core languages we teach are: Mandarin Chinese, French, Italian, German and Spanish. Japanese is also available in the Sixth Form. In addition, wherever we can, we support pupils' individual needs and home languages. Currently we have students studying Modern Greek and Russian alongside the main curriculum. We believe in releasing the creative potential of learning languages to motivate and inspire independent learners who are curious about the world around them. Our learners gain confidence in their innate ability as linguists through a stretching curriculum led by expert and supportive staff. 

There are many reasons why everyone should be able to speak at least one foreign language. Languages are at the heart of individual and collective cultural identity, and the way we understand others. Learning a foreign language enhances communication, a skill much prized in a wide range of careers. There is a huge demand for linguists in every sector and many students go on to use their language skills in business, diplomacy, the media, and travel. Less tangible, though scientifically proven, are the benefits that language learning has on the brain and the development of our mother tongue.

The Modern Languages Department runs residential trips to China, Japan, Spain, France, and Italy, longstanding German and Italian exchange programmes and work experience in Europe. These trips often open doors for pupils onto futures they may never have otherwise imagined.

We offer a whole host of co-curricular activities to enable linguistic confidence, from debating clubs to cookery. Many of our pupils take part in competitions such as the UK Linguistics Olympiad, the Oxford University film and fiction competitions, the Anthea Bell and Stephen Spender poetry translation competitions and Oxford, Cambridge, and University of Sheffield essay competitions. 

LC PROGRAMME

LC1 (Year 7): Pupils may choose their first language of study and College allocates the second from a choice of Mandarin, French, German and Spanish.  

LC2 (Year 8); Pupils choose two languages from a combination of: Mandarin, French, German and Spanish.  

LC3: (Year 9) Pupils may pick up an additional language ab initio choosing from French, Italian and Spanish. 

UC PROGRAMME

All students prepare for AQA GCSE (or Pearson GCSE for Chinese) as the formal qualification and we link study wherever possible to culture and current events. All pupils take one MFL GCSE and many take several languages. Heritage language speakers have the opportunity to sit the GCSE in LC3 (for example, the Pearson iGCSE in Chinese).

SFC PROGRAMME

If following the IB pathway, students can study Chinese, French, Italian and Spanish at Standard or Higher Level. They can also choose from Italian, Arabic, Japanese and Russian ab initio. Classes run subject to sufficient numbers. 

If following the A Level pathway, pupils can study Italian, French, German, Spanish. 
(Please click the links for details of the exam board specifications).

Head of Subject

Dr Gerry, Head of MFL