The Languages Department
Students on an exchange visit to Lagny
Despite the decreasing trend nationally in the study of MFL, the Duchess’s MFL Department continues to attract good numbers at GCSE. Results continue to improve and exceed the national average in French. In 2006, 81% of students gained A*-C grades. The national average was 64.4%
We continue to attract highly motivated and talented students at A/S and A2. In addition to their time-tabled lessons, students have a weekly session with the languages assistant. As part of their community service, they help in Alnwick Feeder Middle Schools where they have a positive and motivating impact on learners.
By inviting key members of our community to our language mornings, we throw light on the careers in MFL and open the door to the learning of new languages such as; Italian, Chinese, Dutch, Spanish and Greek. The motto of the day is ‘English is not enough!’
The Lagny/Alnwick exchange (twin towns) enables students to visit and welcome French students. They thus experience the real France, by spending time in a French home and their pen pal’s school… such schemes are real life experiences and reinforce the links with our French twin town. In 2006, 19 students took part in the exchange.
Students are given the opportunity to take part in an annual study visit to Germany. This is highly rated by students who find it educational and enjoyable. Activities on offer include visits to German castles, historic towns and Phantasialand, a breath-taking ride on a chair lift, an opportunity to practise German in shops and cafes and exciting evening entertainment of murder mysteries and quizzes.
