MFL Booklet (5)

The Langton Language Centre Table of Contents What’s so special about languages at Langton? Student support Key Stage 3 Key Stage 4 Key Stage 5 French German Spanish Trips and Visits Extra-Curricular

The Langton Language Centre What’s so special about languages at Langton? With a knowledgeable and experienced Classes are generally small which helps range of staff, students can expect a learning speed and it means that students friendly, close-knit environment to learn in. have the chance to speak together Peer mentor system. confidently after little time. The teachers are all native, meaning that they have a good At SLGGS, the flexibility allows students to knowledge of the language and know the study one or two languages at GCSE and up best ways to teach students, as well as to to three languages at A Level, meaning that share the cultural background behind each the choice is truly yours. If three isn’t language.. enough, why not try starting another? The Langton Language Centre offers after school classes with native speakers in other languages, for students who want to learn something more challenging. After-school, sessions in Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Polish, Italian and Japanese, are offered to all year groups. In addition, a TEFL course is very popular with our sixth form students.

The Langton Language Centre Student support The LLC staff know how to support students and have the best idea of how to cater to individual needs. Whether that be spending a bit of time after lessons talking about ways to improve, extra speaking sessions or going over those tricky bits of grammar, students can feel confident for their exams. Whenever possible, we organise additional oral sessions with native speakers, for students to practise their speaking in a small group. For A Level linguists aspiring to continue their studies at Oxford or Cambridge, special support is provided with extra interview practise and study support.

The Langton Language Centre Key Stage 3 Our students start with their first modern foreign language and benefit from a fairly intense exposure to this with 6 lessons a fortnight on their timetable. The frequency of lessons helps their recall, enables them to get get to know their teacher well and vice versa and they learn how to learn a language. This is especially helpful when they start Year 8. Their allocated language learning time increases to 7 periods per fortnight but, as they embark on a second language, this time is divided between both first and second languages. The language learning skills that they were taught in Year 7 come to the fore to enable them to learn a second language in less time than they had in Year 7, and giving them the opportunity to opt for two languages in Year 9 and thereafter. The Year 9 groups are a mix of students who have studied that language for one or two years, and for this purpose a special curriculum has been devised which is topic based and allows plenty of scope for some students to catch up while others are encouraged to take on further challenges.

The Langton Language Centre Key Stage 4 Students are able to study one or two modern foreign languages, in a course which starts in term 6 of Year 9. This extra time allows the groups to be established with their teachers and expectations and study skills to be understood before students return in Year 10. We follow the Eduqas specification, and as with all modern foreign languages, students are tested in listening , speaking, reading and writing. In addition, students who speak an additional language at home often sit a GCSE examination in that language too. pn

The Langton Language Centre Key Stage 5 Our brand new building boasts a dedicated A Level teaching classroom. The flexibility of our timetable allows you to study up to 3 modern foreign languages at A Level. With small class sizes and extra-curricular support, students can expect a friendly, close-knit environment in which to learn.

The Langton Language Centre French With a knowledgeable and experienced range of staff, students can expect a friendly, close-knit environment to learn in. Peer mentor system. At SLGGS, the flexibility allows students to study one or two languages at GCSE and up to three languages at A Level, meaning that the choice is truly yours. If three isn’t enough, why not try starting another? The Langton Language Centre offers after school classes with native speakers in other languages, for students who want to learn something more challenging. After-school, sessions in Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Polish, Italian and Japanese, are offered to all year groups. In addition, a TEFL course is very popular with our sixth form students.

The Langton Language Centre German The German department at SLGGS offers outstanding German language teaching expertise and native speaker input, as well as a real love for the rich, inspiring and varied language and culture of the German speaking world. Students will receive a wealth of support as well as opportunities to stretch and challenge themselves in their use of the language. At A Level we continue with some familiar themes such as Health and Sport, Family and relationships, but turn from the more individual point of view to looking at these issues from a more abstract, current perspective. We also equip our students with the knowledge to analyse and discuss literature, film, and Germany’s recent historical events such as the time leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification, both fascinating, yet often little-known aspects of Germany’s history. This forms the background for the film we study, the tragicomedy Goodbye Lenin!, a film by Wolfgang Becker, which looks at the difficulty of life in the GDR after the reunification. This theme is picked up in the novel students work on, Karin König’s Ich fühl mich so fifty-fifty, which follows the life of a girl fleeing from the GDR to West Germany before the wall fell, a common but extremely dangerous event that took place at the time. German students also receive lectures from university lecturers, such as Dr. Tobias Heinrich from the University of Kent, who has spoken about the birth of German literature in the context of Letters and Friendship, as well as from staff, who previously have spoken about a wide range of extra-curricular issues such as the UNESCO world heritage site of the Wadden Sea, the Austrian Founder of Red Bull, or insights into the German Airline Lufthansa, among others. Extra speaking sessions are available for students to practice for the A Level speaking exam, which helps to boost spoken confidence.

The Langton Language Centre Spanish The Spanish department at SLGGS is the perfect subject for anyone interested in Spanish or Latin-American culture and history. The course outlines the difficulties and revolutions in the Franco era of Spain, as well as the challenges of la Guerra Civil (Spanish Civil War). Students study El Otro Árbol de Guernica, a book by Spanish author Luis de Catresana, which looks at the journey of a Spanish boy, who was evacuated to Belgium during the civil war, a serious issue that happened at the time, and Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios, a film by the renowned contemporary director Pedro Almodóvar, which looks at modern life in Spain after the death of Franco and the changing place of women in society in that era. The course also outlines many of the cultural parts of Spanish life, such as music, architecture, Latin American history and much more. Spanish students are given constant support from staff, as well as speaking sessions outside of lessons which can help to improve spoken fluency and confidence. The chance to receive lectures in the language are also possible, with a partnership with the King’s School in Canterbury, which runs monthly lectures about history and current affairs.

The Langton Language Centre Trips and Visits Langton Language Centre realises the importance of studying the culture of a language beyond the textbook, enabling students to have a better insight into the life and culture of the country. Toulouse French Exchange: Year 10 Our Toulouse – Canterbury exchange was founded 10 years ago and is always a very memorable part of our students’ school experience. Our partner school, the lycée Pierre d’Aragon is situated in Muret, a suburb of Toulouse, in the south of France. Students are matched with their French partners several months prior to the trip to enable a relationship to be established. The trip itself lasts a week; students stay in host families and participate in a week’s programme of cultural and fun activities with their English classmates such as a day trip to the walled city of Carcassonne, a tour round the Airbus A380 assembly plant and a visit to the art gallery housed in the former Augustinian convent. In addition, a day trip to the Pyrenees along with their French partners is always a popular day with a rigorous mountain walk and time to wander round local towns. Later in the school year, the French school returns to Canterbury, when it is the turn of our students to host. A joint day trip to London as well as afternoons of rounders and cricket, ending with a cream tea help to cement already established relationships and the final farewell when the French coach departs for Gatwick Airport is always an emotional scene!

The Langton Language Centre Montpellier study and cultural trip: Year 12 Year 12 French students from both Langton Girls’ and Boys’ Sixth Form have the opportunity to spend five days in the Mediterranean city of Montpellier in the south of France. Staying in a French family, with intensive language lessons in the morning at a local Language School, a programme of cultural excursions in the afternoon and authentic opportunities to converse over an evening meal with their host family, students cannot fail to improve their own language and learn much about the local culture. The afternoon programme includes a walking tour of Montpellier, a visit to the historic walled city of Aigues-Mortes, a trip to the zoo, a game of volleyball on a local beach and a cinema trip. This is understandably an extremely popular part of the A level French course!

The Langton Language Centre La Coupole: Day trip with historical focus for A Level students This trip, run in conjunction with the history department, enables both A Level French and History students to spend a day visiting the La Coupole history centre near Saint- Omer in the Pas de Calais. A former Nazi V2 base, this impressive, though chilling building sheds a real light on the events of the Second World War as they played out in northern France and fits perfectly with the Occupation theme studied at French A Level. After the museum visit, students are able to experience the picturesque town of Saint- Omer.

The Langton Language Centre Barcelona Key stage 3 students have the opportunity to explore this beautiful Catalan city, staying in a local hotel and visiting many nearby places of interest, such as La Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas, La Boquería ,Parc Güell, Poble Espanyol and Salamanca.

The Langton Language Centre Salamanca Students of Year 11, 12 & 13 have the chance to experience Salamanca – where they will be immersed in the language and local culture in a home stay. Their language skills will be further honed by language lessons in a local language school with a programme of cultural activities to reward their efforts.

The Langton Language Centre Cologne The study trip to Cologne is the perfect way to supplement our students’ passion for the German language! Students in Year 13 use German to explore the city and learn about its culture and history and by doing so, they are certain to improve both their language skills and their confidence. The city of Cologne has a lot to offer - upon arriving in Cologne, there is nothing more awe-inspiring than the twin spires of the famous Cathedral. The UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the largest churches in Europe, as well as one of Germany's top attractions. Students will also be able to take in the view from the river during a River Boat Cruise. As well as these fantastic cultural activities, students will have eight language lessons in a German partner school, spread over two afternoons. In the past, Year 12 German students have also had the opportunity to attend a Christmas Market trip to Cologne, which has given students a broad, enriching experience, whilst being able to use their language skills in an authentic context.

The Langton Language Centre University visits The LLC is keen to promote the study of modern foreign languages beyond A Level. Recent projects have included a Poetry slam for Year 12, involving a variety of languages at UKC, welcoming visiting lecturers at the LLC and a visit to the University of Southampton’s Open Day where students can attend talks by senior lecturers about the opportunities that language learning offers, as well as motivating presentations from former students who speak about their life after university and how languages have shaped their careers. The trip is an excellent chance to explore the university and the courses available, as well as to try a new language in the afternoon taster sessions, which may inspire an interest to apply for a course which includes a new language.

The Langton Language Centre Extra-Curricular Modern Foreign Languages Conference L a n g u a g e L e a d e r s (Active Minds and Routes into Languages) To promote language learning at University, the LLC hosts an annual Following the successful Sport Leaders programme, Routes into modern languages conference, open to all Canterbury schools, Languages have introduced the Language Leaders initiative to promote welcoming an array of lecturers from across the country, including the language teaching as a career by allowing students to try their own University of Kent and Oxford, to talk to students about the hand at taking over the classroom. Students use this project to learn opportunities available to them in later life following continued language basic classroom skills, including lesson planning and being an engaging study. teacher; invaluable skills for a later career, in or out of the education system. Recent lectures have included French poetry, the Cuban revolution and the importance of linguistics. These are a very beneficial event for all, To further focus the aims of our language leaders, we are also the lectures often being given entirely in the target language, making conducting some research into the Active Minds programme, which them an excellent opportunity to learn. involves students of the third generation from our local community and the correlation between learning and memory.

The Langton Language Centre MFL Choir Sixth Form MFL Conference This small but friendly choir rehearses regularly and performs at various We are very proud to provide this annual day of languages for Year 12 events during the school year. Recent songs have been in Russian, and 13, which is open to all local Sixth Form MFL departments. Swedish, French and German. We always welcome new members. Here is what one of our singers said about the choir: This year, on Thursday 20th January, all of our A Level MFL students will be exempt from their usual timetable, following an enriching programme “Being part of the MFL choir was a brilliant experience. Singing in other delivered by both Langton teachers as well as visitors from universities, languages (German and Russian) was great and it meant the whole choir embassies and institutes. was beginning at the same level, regardless of musical experience. The music definitely gave me an insight to the culture and traditions of other As well as complementing their current studies, these lectures go above countries, and singing highlighted the importance of enunciating sounds and beyond the A Level curriculum, giving students an insight into the clearly for pronunciation. The experience was also particularly relevant many and varied career opportunities that languages make available to for the French A level syllabus, since the film we study “Les Choristes” is them and a flavour of continuing their language study at degree level. all about the power of singing in a choir. I would really recommend getting involved.”

The Langton Language Centre Talks about the application of languages J u v e n e s T r a n s l a t o r e s (European Commission) We have been fortunate to be able to present to our students some talks The European Commission hosts an annual translation competition to about the value of language learning for the workplace, during January promote language learning across European countries. and February. This year, SLGGS students had the opportunity to participate in this These have either been in person at the sixth form conference, or via a challenge, giving them the chance to put their knowledge to the test. Webinar, during lessons. Speakers have included: Romain Devaux: French Embassy, London; José Jímenez Serrano: Spanish Embassy, London; Steve Samson: Kent County Council; Dr Rebecca Ogden: Lecturer in Latin American Studies, School of Cultures and Languages, University of Kent.

The Langton Language Centre British Council Peer Mentor Scheme Some of our former students have taken advantage of British Council We have a link with UKC where MFL students volunteer to be paired up initiatives to spend a few weeks of the summer holiday in Europe, doing with our A Level language students in the capacity of peer mentor. work experience and staying with a family. Either our students can communicate with them via e-mail, or they can meet regularly in school to provide support and oral practice. This has proved to be a real confidence boost for them. In addition, we welcome our students volunteering their services as Peer Mentors with students in KS3 and KS4, and find that this not only benefits the mentees but also the peer mentors by consolidating the knowledge that they are imparting. It is also a great opportunity to give something back to the school community.

The Langton Language Centre 'Languages for Life' We think that the Langton Language Centre is the best place for any linguist, and we hope that you will agree.