We were delighted to feature in a recent article in Independent School Parent Magazine which highlighted how independent schools have been bucking the trend when it comes to the decline in students taking Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) in UK schools. Head of Junior School, Ms Bevan spoke about the importance of learning languages and why our Junior School girls start learning Mandarin from an early age, which is complemented by the introduction of French (Year 2) and German (Year 4) Clubs. Ms Bevan said languages study gives children “an appreciation of different cultures; the joy of communicating with someone you might not otherwise be able to; the skill of language learning; and a greater understanding of the English language through comparison with another mother tongue.”

“The study of languages at secondary level is very popular. Our uptake in German, for example, has increased, which goes against the national decline,” according to Head of MFL at Senior School, Mrs Schindler-Smith. Mrs Schindler-Smith explained the school’s approach to language learning in Year 7 where students are taught a “carousel” of languages (French, German, Spanish alongside Mandarin), before choosing two languages to continue with in Year 8 and 9, often resulting in students electing to take two languages to GCSE level. The article also highlighted some of the MFL Department’s popular and successful initiatives including a special Week of Languages and the recent launch of their Foreign Languages Film Evenings, open to families and friends of the school in aid of The Harrow Club charity.

You can read the full article here.

In the meantime we are looking forward to welcoming families and friends to school on March 18th where we are showing El Viaje de Carol (Carol’s Journey) as our fourth Notting Hill & Ealing High School MFL Film Evening. To book your ticket, please see School Comms.