"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart"...

Nelson Mandela

A life skill

Learning languages is essential for the social and economic future of Great Britain.  Furthermore, learning a language helps people to understand the world that they live in as well as the cultures of foreign people around the world.

A recent CBI survey indicates that companies in the UK believe shortfalls in international cultural awareness may jeopardise the country’s prospects of international trade.  Individuals may also suffer reduced prospects of employment in an increasingly globalised economy.

We must remember that 75% of the world’s population speak no English at all increasing the need to learn languages.  Those wanting to achieve the English Bacaulaureat at GCSE will need to take a language.

"One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way"....

Frank Smith

Aims

At Dyson Perrin’s our aim is to teach languages in a stimulating yet challenging fashion.  We seek to inspire our students in order to enable them to use their linguistic skills in the future, whether this eventually be in the context of work or leisure. We endeavour to help to develop our students as confident, resourceful and responsible learners.

Departmental Rooms & Resources

We have 4 languages rooms all of which benefit from a computer & projector with audio capacity.  One of the rooms has an interactive whiteboard.  All teachers use ICT as an integral part of their teaching.  We have a wide variety of resources which students can use to develop their linguistic skills.

Our classrooms are welcoming with displays of students’ work and photographs of visits abroad.  We value rewards and our students receive stickers and merits in class.  In addition we nominate ‘linguists of the term’ and parents are informed of this accolade via letter.

Educational Visits and Events

There are many opportunities within the curriculum and during for students to participate in off-site visits, which enhance their learning. For example, students can opt to spend a week in France, Spain or Germany for Key Stages 3,4 and 5 to develop their language skills.

Our KS5 students can have a work experience placement abroad, organised with the School's careers advisor.

There are events held locally such as the celebration of 'European Day of Languages', a visit to the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham and our students have the opportunity to teach French and German in local Primary Schools.