Maynard students often go on to continue their language studies at university, often combining them with other subjects, such as Law, Economics, Management Studies, Journalism, Maths and a Science, where the possibility exists of studying this subject in the foreign language during a year abroad.

French, German and Spanish are offered at the Maynard, giving our students a distinct advantage over many students nationally who do not pursue a Modern Foreign Language to examination level.

Our Language Circus in Year 7 continues to be popular and gives the younger students a practical basis on which to decide their language choice for Key Stage 3. The students study each language for 10 weeks and in Year 8 they continue with French and German or Spanish, depending on their personal preference.

The department makes full use of all available techniques and strategies to give the students confidence in using their language knowledge in the classroom situation. The use of digital projector software, as well as the video and audio recording of students’ presentations of role-plays and short plays, enhances motivation and confidence.

We celebrate European Day of Languages annually with a variety of activities both inside and outside the classroom, which this year included a pétanque tournament, an art competition, a treasure hunt and a LAFTA (Languages and Film Talent Award) competition and Salsa classes.

In June 2008 we took all Year 10 students to Exeter University for a ‘Languages in Business’ day. There were lots of interactive games and interesting seminars given by local businesses, such as Flybe, Ashfords, Reuters, EDF, the Goethe Institute together with plenary sessions from CILT and CENTRAX. Every session stressed the value and importance placed on languages by employers.

Time spent abroad is of great value to students who have the opportunity to put their knowledge to use in truly authentic situations. The preparation and follow-up of visits to France, Germany and Spain play an important part in our students’ development; the programme is carefully arranged, so that French and German/Spanish trips occur in alternate years.

Forty-one students from Year 10 to Sixth Form took part in the Spanish Study trip to Valladolid during the October half-term of 2007; they stayed individually or in pairs with families and attended lessons in the morning at the Casa del Español. It was an excellent trip and will be offered again in 2009. The German exchange to Hildesheim was similarly successful and some strong friendships were made. In October 2008 thirty-nine students took part in the French home-stay visit to Nice, with trips to Cannes, Monaco and Antibes. Such foreign visits are invaluable for improving the students’ linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness; they give students the opportunity to visit the country whose language they are studying at least once during their GCSE and A Level courses.

Mr D O’Neill, Head of Modern Foreign Languages