9 February 2009 / Learning To Love Language
Inspired by the imminent opening of the school's new high-tech language block, many of the girls in Years 4, 5 and 6 have joined a new language club.
With the help of the school's staff and sixth form, club members have been meeting monthly at lunchtime to try out a variety of languages.
Over the next few months they will have the opportunity to grasp the basics of German, Russian, Gujarati, Cantonese, Italian, Maori, Welsh, Swedish and Spanish, as well as further improving their French, which is taught to all members of the school from Year 1 through to Sixth Form.
"It's important to be able to speak to people in their own language," said Zahra from Year 6. "Even if you can only say 'hello' it creates the right impression. People will appreciate that you are trying to interact with them."
Head of French in the prep, Kate Griffin, explained that the school thinks learning other languages is an extremely important part of the curriculum.
She said: "We start teaching French as soon as the girls join us in Year 1. At first it's just half an hour a week, taught through songs and games but, by Year 6, they are confident enough to write basic sentences and converse in French.
"This new club is working extremely well. It is organised mainly by the sixth form students and gives the prep girls a taster of an enormous variety of languages, which they may want to expand on later in the school."
Building work on the language block is nearing completion with a planned move into the facility at Easter. Students will have the full benefit of the new digital technology and learning facilities by the beginning of the summer term.
With the help of the school's staff and sixth form, club members have been meeting monthly at lunchtime to try out a variety of languages.
Over the next few months they will have the opportunity to grasp the basics of German, Russian, Gujarati, Cantonese, Italian, Maori, Welsh, Swedish and Spanish, as well as further improving their French, which is taught to all members of the school from Year 1 through to Sixth Form.
"It's important to be able to speak to people in their own language," said Zahra from Year 6. "Even if you can only say 'hello' it creates the right impression. People will appreciate that you are trying to interact with them."
Head of French in the prep, Kate Griffin, explained that the school thinks learning other languages is an extremely important part of the curriculum.
She said: "We start teaching French as soon as the girls join us in Year 1. At first it's just half an hour a week, taught through songs and games but, by Year 6, they are confident enough to write basic sentences and converse in French.
"This new club is working extremely well. It is organised mainly by the sixth form students and gives the prep girls a taster of an enormous variety of languages, which they may want to expand on later in the school."
Building work on the language block is nearing completion with a planned move into the facility at Easter. Students will have the full benefit of the new digital technology and learning facilities by the beginning of the summer term.