Languages

Languages open the door to new cultures, perspectives and ways of thinking. Alongside English and French, every Middle School student studies additional languages, choosing from Mandarin Chinese or Latin in Year 7, and Spanish or German in Year 8. 

Each language offers its own window onto the world, while sharing a common approach to learning. Students develop confidence in listening, speaking, reading and writing through meaningful communication and authentic cultural experiences. Even Latin is taught as a language to be explored and understood, connecting students with the people, stories and ideas of the ancient world through an active and engaging approach.

Learning additional languages within our bilingual environment encourages students to make connections between linguistic and cultural traditions. As they move between languages, they become more confident communicators, more perceptive learners and more open to different ways of seeing the world.

What Students Experience

Across Middle School, students develop their language skills through topics that reflect everyday life as well as the wider world. They discuss family, friendships, travel and future aspirations, while also exploring history, art, literature, current affairs and environmental issues through the cultures of the languages they study.

Whether studying contemporary life in Germany, the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, the traditions and festivals of China, or the history and civilisation of Ancient Rome, students gain an understanding of the societies in which each language is spoken - or, in the case of Latin, once flourished. They learn not only how to communicate effectively, but also how language reflects identity, values and culture.

How Students Learn

Communication is at the heart of language learning. Lessons combine conversation, role play, discussion, reading, writing and collaborative activities to help students use language confidently in real-life contexts. Students are encouraged to take (intellectual) risks, experiment with new vocabulary and express increasingly complex ideas with accuracy and fluency.

Alongside developing linguistic skills, students engage with original-language texts, films, music and cultural traditions, building curiosity about the people and places connected to each language. This broad approach helps students become confident, adaptable communicators who can draw connections across languages and cultures.

Beyond the Classroom

Languages come to life beyond the classroom through travel, cultural experiences and authentic encounters. Residential trips to Spanish- and German-speaking countries, which may include destinations such as Spain, Germany or Austria, are a highlight of the programme, giving students the chance to use their language skills in real situations. A trip to China offers similar immersion in Mandarin Chinese, while visits to sites connected with the classical world deepen students’ understanding of Latin and Roman civilisation.

These experiences, together with theatre, film and cultural events, build confidence, independence and curiosity, helping students form a lasting connection with the languages and cultures they study.

Looking Ahead

The Middle School Languages curriculum provides a strong foundation for IGCSEs and further language study in Upper School. More importantly, students develop the confidence to communicate across cultures, think from different perspectives and engage with an increasingly interconnected world. These skills enrich every area of learning and prepare students for future study, international experiences and life beyond school.