Learning a language broadens horizons, instils confidence and deepens the understanding of the world in which we currently live. The benefits of being able to communicate in a second language are profound, opening minds to different cultures, developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills as well as increasing employability. The Modern Foreign Languages department at Hermitage Academy utilises these core beliefs to develop curious and confident language learners of the future who will have the skills and capacity to master whichever language they may choose.
During their first years of study of French and Spanish, we anticipate that students will have the opportunity to visit France and/or Spain with the Academy. These highly popular cultural visits aim to ‘put into practice’ the skills learnt within the classroom and students are encouraged to speak in the target language throughout the visit. This is a real opportunity to bring the subject to life for our learners. For those unable to travel, we bring the world to our classroom by celebrating festivals, food tasting, exposure to the latest songs, cultural anthems, clips from French and Spanish news and interviews and authentic texts from French and Spanish literature, newspapers and magazines. All students have the opportunity to develop conversational language skills and the necessary key language to successfully complete daily tasks in French or Spanish-speaking countries such as booking a table in a restaurant, hotel reservations, asking for directions etc.