Modern Languages

Languages are becoming more and more important in our modern society. Parents want their children to be able to communicate in several languages and Public Schools are keen for their students to start a second or even a third modern language in their Preparatory school.

In 1992 one hour a week of German was added to the curriculum for the top two streams of the top three years. In 2001 we also introduced the study of Spanish. The students now study German in the top stream and Spanish in the other steams in the to three years. We hope that when they leave Abberley, the students will be able to understand and communicate in these languages. They will also be able to choose their options more easily when they move on to their Public Schools.

French

When learning a foreign language, we aim at developing the four following skills:

1. Listening: to develop the pupil's ability to understand and respond to spoken language.

2. Speaking: to develop the pupil's ability to communicate in speech.

3. Reading : to develop the pupil's ability to read, understand and respond to written language.

4. Writing: to develop the pupil's ability to communicate in writing.

At Abberley Hall, French is introduced in the Pre-preparatory School through games, songs and rhymes. From a very young age the children are used to hearing a foreign language and understand that English is not the only means of communication.

Many children join the school at the age of eight. Some have already been introduced to French but others, not at all. We therefore start a new approach so that nobody should feel at a disadvantage. First, we concentrate on developing the children's listening and speaking ability. For at least one term, the children are taught on Audio-visual methods: they see situations on filmstrips or videotapes and they will hear the appropriate dialogue and commentary. With help, they will understand the spoken language. By imitation and then by analogy and by acting games, they will begin to speak the language.

The next stage is the introduction of reading and writing which we do with the help of the Encore Tricolore course. Apart from the text books the course includes flashcards for learning new vocabulary cassettes, videotapes, worksheets and IT programmes.

All the children will go on to take either Common Entrance or a Scholarship examination in French in their last year at Abberley. The Autumn and Summer terms' examinations include an oral test for all the children as part of their final mark. Consequently, when they reach their final examinations, they have had regular experience in all the skills required, not only at Preparatory School level, but also at GCSE or A level.

The Modern Languages Department now has its own computer room with seven computers all linked to the Main IT room and to the Internet. The software includes grammar and writing exercises which can be used with whole forms at all levels. Some programmes allow the children to practise their oral skills and anyone can use the room for personal revision.

In the Scholarship form, a course book becomes less important except to reinforce a point of grammar or as a revision tool. General knowledge about France and a wide range of vocabulary are necessary for most scholarships, so radio and television programmes, newspaper, magazine, and Internet articles tend to replace textbooks. The children are also encouraged to work independently and to do their own research on the Internet.

Since September 2003, all the children in the second and fourth year will spend three weeks in a “chalet” in the French Alps in term time, where they will be looked after and taught by Mich è and Simon Howell. Mich è is French, born and bred in the Alps . With her husband Simon, she has run a very successful girls' boarding house for twelve years. During their stay in the Alps , the children will follow a school timetable wile speaking French and learning about French culture and way of life