Our Languages Department offers French, German and Spanish in the Senior School. From Year 7, pupils study two modern foreign languages and can continue to do so through Years 7, 8 and 9. At GCSE, girls may opt for one or two languages but do not have to take a language as part of their GCSE options. However, languages are a popular choice and many of our linguists go on to study A level languages at their chosen future sixth form destinations.
Learning another language brings many benefits and at Manor House School, we recognise the important role that languages provide in a student's ability to become a global citizen. We offer many opportunities for students to immerse themselves in a language from extra-curricular clubs, to film nights and trips. Many pupils speak another language at home and we celebrate the diversity of languages through assemblies and competitions. Our Languages Department aim to foster a love of languages, but also to encourage independence of learning and develop a better understanding of the wider world.
There is a cycle of trips on offer to Spain, Germany and France. In October 2019, the GCSE pupils went on a residential trip to Salamanca, Spain. The girls enjoyed four hours of lessons each day, which were then followed by cultural outings to nearby places of interest and enriching activities such as learning to Salsa dance, making paella and going on a tapas tour.
In January 2020, GCSE French linguists from Years 9-11 travelled to northern France for a long weekend, staying in the countryside close to Boulogne-sur-Mer on the beautiful Côte d’Opale. The girls enjoyed visits to a local market, a sweet factory, the charming old town of Boulogne and an especially memorable trip to a bakery! Throughout, the girls were immersed in the target language and were encouraged to use as much French as possible by our engaging animateur, Quentin. The girls recorded each day’s activities in French in their journals and gained a valuable confidence boost to their listening and speaking skills.
Years 7 and 8 have the opportunity to go on a residential trip to Wolfsburg, Germany to visit the Autostadt, a visitor attraction adjacent to the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg to combine STEM and languages. The Modern Foreign Languages Department joins up with the GCSE History Department on a residential trip to Berlin in October, which is always a hugely interesting and very popular trip.