WE ARE A DYNAMIC DEPARTMENT of seven subject specialists aiming to inspire all our students with a love for language learning.

We are responsible for the teaching of French, German and Spanish throughout the school. All pupils take one language (French or German) from Year 7 to Year 11, when they take the GCSE examination. The opportunity is offered to pupils starting their Key Stage Four course of study to add Spanish as a second Modern Foreign Language.

It is thought to be an important accomplishment that people should have some familiarity with a language other than their own. In this age, when travel and commerce stretch further around the globe than ever before, understanding the principles of different languages and cultural differences is vital to economic and political success. Furthermore, learning the language of another culture offers insights into that culture, so broadening the mind of the student. 

The GCSE examination principally tests the ability of the candidate to communicate in a way that would be understood by the sympathetic native speaker of the foreign language who knows no English. The four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking are all tested by a terminal examination, each component of which is worth 25% of the final grade.

The MFL department generally tries to use as much of the target language as possible in the classroom. Sometimes parents worry that they disadvantage their son by not knowing any French, Spanish or German; for further help in this area, see the Support area. The department organises language trips for year 9 pupils if there is sufficient interest and is eager to offer the possibility of travel to a relevant country to those who study the language in the Sixth Form.

Our Staff

Mrs Mulcahy (Head of Modern Foreign Languages)
Mr Fletcher (Head of German)
Mrs Barnwell (Head of Spanish)
Mr Walters
Mrs Renaut
Mrs Kitson
Ms Golland
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Support

Enrichment

Our department offer students the opportunity to work and learn in additional revision clubs, such as “the MFL Clinic” for example. These give the students the opportunity to revise work that has been covered in preparation towards exams but they also try to offer the students a broader perspective on their studies.

In recent years we have been able to offer trips such as the following:

• Year 9 language trip to Côte d’Opale, France
• Year 9 language trip to Cologne, Germany
• Theatre visits
• Primary school visits
• Year 12 &13 work experience in Paris, France
• Year 12 &13 cultural visit in Berlin, Germany
• Year 12 &13 cultural visit in Madrid, Spain

Further links

KS4 & KS5
Kerboodle (username and password given at the beginning of the year)

KS3 & KS4
Linguascope (username and password given at the beginning of the year)
Quizlet
Memries
Zut!
BBC Bitesize

Wilson’s School

A boys’ grammar school in the London Borough of Sutton (UK), Wilson’s School is:

  • committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment
  • a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (no. 7536970). Registered office: Mollison Drive, Wallington, Surrey SM6 9JW
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