Why study languages?
Our pupils will no longer only compete with their UK counterparts for the top jobs. Their European equivalents regard fluent English as self-evident and often speak several other languages as well. The era of monolingualism is well and truly gone and our pupils must be equipped to compete in a job market where geographical mobility and the knowledge of at least one other European language are indispensable.
University degree courses have changed to reflect this new reality and now offer the possibility of combining a languages with a vast range of subjects and of spending a year at a European university, regardless of degree content, as part of the Erasmus programme.
Culture
At the same time our culture is becoming less isolationist and more European. Added to our regular European holidays we now do the bulk of our trade with our EU neighbours and the "home market" of a UK firm now stretches from Stockholm to Cyprus and from Bucharest to Lisbon. Not only do we consume more European produce but we expect to sell our produce to them. The process of learning a European language is closely integrated with the study of continental cultures and traditions, which are in many fascinating respects different from our own. Understanding of cultural differences is one of the keys to good international relations.
Examinations
The department’s examination record is excellent. At the Academy, we are fortunate to have access to both the Scottish and English exam systems, enabling us to cater for both the language specialist (GCE A level), and those who, perhaps wishing to include a language element in their degree, need a paper qualification more advanced than GCSE, a role for which the Scottish Higher is ideally suited.
There are currently five full-time and two part-time modern languages teachers in the Senior School. All are well qualified. There is a good mixture of youth and experience. As well as school trips, the department also offers a good range of local outings and excursions to places as diverse as the theatre, the French Film Festival, the German Christmas Market, and of course to the French & Goethe Institutes. Our A-level pupils regularly make use of their facilities for coursework research.
French, German & Spanish
The languages currently being taught are French, German, and Spanish. All pupils currently in the 2nds began German as their second modern language and they will continue with this into 3rds. From August 2008, the new 2nds will have the opportunity to choose either German or Spanish in addition to French. They will then continue with French and either German or Spanish, when they move into the 3rds.
French is started in P5 on a fun basis, serious study beginning in P6. There is an integrated programme between P6 and first year at the Upper School , using the same teachers, to ensure continuity. .jpg)
German is studied by all pupils in the Seconds, for two periods per week, as a well-constructed introductory course. At the end of that year, they may elect to study German as a second foreign language. In the Fourths, further timetable choices mean that pupils with two languages can continue with both or can choose either as their sole language. .jpg)
All pupils in the 2nds in 2007-8 began German as their second modern language, and they will continue
with this into the 3rds in August 2008. This year group will, however, be offered Spanish as a “fresh start”
Standard Grade when they move on to the 4ths in August 2009.
Pupils in the Geits in 2007-8 will have the opportunity to choose either German or Spanish in addition to
French in the 2nds in August 2008. They will then continue with French and either German or Spanish, when
they move into the 3rds..jpg)
Opportunities to establish contact with German boys and girls exist through our exchange with the Kurfurst -Balduin-Schule in Munstermaifeld, and every effort is made to encourage our pupils to take advantage of the partnership..jpg)
The Department regularly runs a short trip to Le Touquet in northern France, for a large group drawn from our Seconds and Thirds, which combines fun and education, giving the boys the opportunity to put into practice all they have learned in the classroom. .jpg)
The department is making increased use of ICT. The Internet is regarded as a valuable resource for both class and interactive personal study. Interactive white boards are increasingly incorporatied into our everyday teaching.This page is: Edinburgh Academy / curriculum / languages/ index.htm
