Modern Foreign Languages

'A different language is a different vision of life,' Federico Fellini

Glenalmond offers pupils the possibility of studying French, German and Spanish, to GCSE, AS and A2 levels. Italian is also offered occasionally.

French is compulsory for all pupils until the end of the fifth form. Pupils have the opportunity of taking an early entry French GCSE in the fourth form: this is the only early entry GCSE taken at Glenalmond, and it gives these pupils the opportunity to then take the SQA Higher exam in the fifth form, giving them extra university entry points and an advantage when starting AS French. Succeeding in a Higher examination at 16 is also seen very positively by universities, particularly for those students who don't wish to continue French into the Sixth Form. Pupils study for their AS and A2 exams in the sixth form.

Students choose between Spanish and German as a second language in the third form and may then take this through to GCSE and on to AS and A2.

All Modern Foreign Languages are taken with the AQA board at GCSE and at AS and A2 levels. There are four elements and exams in GCSEs: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The new format of controlled assessment has replaced examinations for writing and speaking and these two components are worth 30% each. Listening and Reading are worth 20% each and are examined at either Foundation or Higher Level. At Higher and A level there is a greater requirement for analysis and personal reaction to everyday and global preoccupations and problems.

Exam results have been consistently strong at all levels for many years and we are absolutely delighted with the efforts of our students and staff last year - it is no mean feat to have students gaining full marks at all levels in French.

Staff

Our recent inspection commented on the unusually high skill level of language teachers at Glenalmond as so many staff can teach to such a high level in a wide range of languages.

Head of department is Jenny Davey, graduate of Edinburgh University and teacher of French, Spanish and German, as well as Portuguese if necessary! Cambridge graduate Jeremy Poulter teaches Latin and German, is also the College Registrar, and is responsible for the international intake at Glenalmond, which contributes so much to the College ethos. Percy Shelley is Head of Spanish, but also teaches French and German, as well as being fluent in Portuguese: a true polyglot. Jeremy Gardner teaches French and German and is also Head of EAL (English as an Additional Language) classes. Ian McDonald teaches French and is both a Scottish Qualifications Authority examiner and the organiser of the very successful annual school trips to France. Kathryn Watson, Housemistress of Home, teaches French, German and Spanish as well as having a degree in Russian. John Wright our Head of Classics is fluent in Italian and gives tuition to pupils when his time-table permits. This depth allows us to respond to the needs of bilingual and international students who wish to continue with their own languages at a native speaker level.

While the numbers of pupils studying Modern Foreign Languages in the UK continues to fall, at Glenalmond numbers are increasing. The 2007 Lower Sixth Spanish intake was the largest ever (bigger than in any other Scottish independent school) and the 2008 French intake was the largest on record. We are delighted to see that our numbers have increased further in the last academic year at both GCSE and A-level in all languages.

The second half of the summer term features Ian McDonald's school trip to France, during which the cultural exchange between Glenalmond and La Rochelle continues.

The school has been enlivened by the arrival of several international pupils, who come to Glenalmond to improve their English, enjoy some British culture and Scottish scenery and to help our pupils to improve their second language. The department can also provide advanced tuition if this is required and agreed with the Head of Department.