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 then take the SQA Higher exam in the fifth form, giving them extra university entry points and an advantage when starting AS French. Pupils study for their AS and A2 exams in the sixth form.

All Modern Foreign Languages are taken with the OCR board at GCSE and with AQA at AS and A2 levels. There are four elements and exams in GCSE's: speaking, listening, reading and writing, with each exam counting for 25% of the total marks. The same elements are as relevant at Higher and A level, but 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. In 2007 French, German and Spanish had the best college results at A2 and AS level, there were ten grade A's in the French Highers set, and 11 A*'s in French GCSE.

Head of department is Jenny Davey, graduate of Edinburgh University and teacher of French, Spanish and German. Cambridge graduate Jeremy Poulter teaches French and German, is also the College Registrar, and is responsible for the foreign intake at Glenalmond, which contributes so much to the College ethos. Percy Shelley is Head of Spanish, but also teaches French and German, a well as being fluent in Portuguese: a true polyglot. Jeremy Gardner teaches French and German and also some 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 a third form French set. John Wright, Head of Classics, and fluent in Italian, gives tuition to pupils when his time-table permits!

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 promises to be the largest on record.

The second half of the summer term saw the return of Ian McDonald's school trip to France, during which the cultural exchange between Glenalmond and La Rochelle was strengthened. Shortly after their return, the school has been enlivened by the arrival of several French pupils, who come to Glenalmond to improve their English, enjoy some British culture and Scottish scenery and to help our pupils to improve their French. Having real French boys in French lessons provides both interest and challenge to the Britons.