Modern Foreign Languages
At Palmers Green High School, our Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department is passionate about inspiring a love for languages and global cultures. We believe that learning a foreign language enhances memory, improves cognitive skills, and deepens understanding of one’s own language.
Our Approach to Teaching
We offer a dynamic and interactive approach to language learning, using a wide variety of engaging methods and resources to make lessons enjoyable and effective. These include:
- Group, pair and class-based oral work
- Drama and role play
- Vocabulary-building exercises
- Interactive games and computer-based activities
- Video and audio learning
- Singing, dictation, and memorised presentations
- Creative and structured writing tasks
This approach helps pupils develop strong skills across all four key areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Curriculum Overview
Languages are a key part of the PGHS curriculum:
- Years 7–9: Pupils study both French and Spanish, developing a strong foundation in each language through a variety of engaging methods.
- Years 10–11: At least one modern foreign language is compulsory at IGCSE level. Many pupils choose to continue studying both French and Spanish.
[Click here to view our IGCSE MFL curriculum in the Options Booklet.]
Trips & Enrichment Opportunities
We offer a wide range of cultural activities and trips to bring language learning to life, including:
- Residential trips to France and Spain (Years 10–11)
- Day trips to Boulogne (Year 7)
- Weekend visits to Paris (Years 9–10)
- Visits to the French Institute and Instituto Cervantes for immersive, real-world language experiences
- Dining experiences at French and Spanish restaurants (Year 11)
- Interactive theatre visits (French and Spanish plays by Onatti Theatre Company, Years 4–11)
- Drama workshops in Spanish
- Hispanic Day and French Day celebrations
- Cultural food tasting events
- European Day of Languages celebrations
- Participation in the international Stephen Spender Prize for poetry translation
- Engagement with the LanguageNut online platform to build vocabulary and reinforce learning through fun, competitive activities
- Internal Spelling Competition
Extra-Curricular Support
To complement classroom learning, we offer a range of extra-curricular opportunities that help pupils build confidence and deepen their cultural understanding:
- Weekly drop-in sessions in both French and Spanish to reinforce key skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing
- French and Spanish Cine Clubs, held weekly, where pupils watch films in the target language to explore cultural themes, develop listening skills, and expand vocabulary in an engaging, authentic context
- A French and Spanish language assistant is available each year to support Year 10 and Year 11 pupils. They provide targeted help in small groups and one-to-one sessions to prepare for the IGCSE speaking exam, enhancing fluency and confidence.
