Modern Foreign Languages

The students at Bulmershe School enjoy learning in a highly active and busy Modern Foreign Language Department. We offer French and Spanish in Year 7 through to GCSE and A Level. In Year 7 students study French or Spanish for 3 hours per week and are then set by ability either in the summer term of year 7 or at the start of year 8. At this point some students will pick up the second language and some students will continue to focus on just one. In year 9 students can choose to continue with one (or two if appropriate) language to GCSE. In each year group, students develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing through a wide range of different activities.

The MFL Department, composed of six specialist teachers, has a very positive and exciting atmosphere and continues to develop in new and exciting ways. Teachers’ expectations of our pupils are high and we encourage pupils to challenge themselves in lessons. We use a variety of innovative, dynamic, engaging and collaborative teaching and learning methods in the classroom. Our curriculum provides opportunities for all students to gain an increasing understanding of grammatical structures that are the foundation of developing language skills. By developing students’ listening, speaking, reading, writing and memory skills, the MFL team instil in students the foundations for future study of other languages. Academic success is naturally important but the team is also enthusiastic and passionate about instilling a love of languages into our pupils. We aim to help students understand and appreciate different countries, cultures, people and communities, so that they begin to think of themselves as citizens of the world as well as of the United Kingdom.

To ensure that students learn successfully and are able to realise their potential, the MFL Faculty aims to understand students’ strengths and areas for development, to adapt our teaching styles accordingly and to select appropriate materials. We have a wide range of resources available for use and subscribe to various online resources that students can access from home. We are well equipped to deliver home and blended learning when necessary, including delivering live lessons.

Teaching Staff

Should you wish to contact a teacher in this department please email the head of department 

Mrs C Valler (Head of MFL) cvaller@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

Mme R Boyer (French and Spanish, Co-ordinator for KS3 languages)

Miss K Hudson (Spanish and French)

Mrs K Potter (Spanish and French)

Miss V Patey (French & Spanish)

Ms K Robinson (French & Spanish)

Extra-Curricular Activities

We run a range of extra-curricular activities and trips abroad, which aim to really involve students in their language learning as well as experience the cultures of the countries.

Enrichment Activities

KS3 French Club

Year 9 - Year 9 – Language Ambassadors (weekly and open to ALL pupils)

Year 11—Revision clinics in both French and Spanish every week

Trips abroad (subject to sufficient numbers)

Year 7 – Day trip to Boulogne

Year 9 & 10 – Residential trip to France

 (Proposed yr9/10 trip to Spain for 2024, numbers permitting)

For course details please access the PDF files at the bottom of this page.

If you would like more information about the MFL curriculum please contact:   Mrs C Valler (Head of MFL) cvaller@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk