Modern Foreign Languages Department
French
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.”
Charlemagne
French at St Bede’s is taught by passionate linguists who are dedicated to inspiring students to have a life-long love of language learning and to achieve the best possible outcomes.
With the emphasis on speaking and interacting, pupils have the building blocks to enable them to become independent and enthusiastic linguists. French is the language taught to all pupils in the first two years at St Bede’s and continues to be an option throughout the College. Pupils have many opportunities for enrichment through local events and courses run by cultural institutions such as the Alliance Française and the Manchester universities. The Department organises a popular annual visit to Normandy for the Upper Third and an Exchange for older pupils.
Spanish
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”
Frank Smith
Spanish is the third most commonly spoken language in the world and it is without doubt a language of the future. Studying Spanish at St Bede’s will afford you the opportunity to acquire an excellent knowledge of the language through the key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. In the Sixth Form our Spanish staff can offer you modules based on their expertise in the cultural, historical and literary aspects of Spain and Latin America.
Pupils have many opportunities for enrichment through local events and courses run by cultural institutions such as the Instituto Cervantes in Manchester, the Spanish Embassy and the Manchester universities. Our annual visits to Spanish speaking countries include an Exchange to Madrid.
German
“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” – Rita Mae Brown
Germany is the UK’s biggest non-English speaking trading partner and it plays a major political role in both the European Union and globally. Knowledge of German is beneficial for a huge range of jobs. Studying German at St Bede’s will give you the opportunity to gain an excellent knowledge of the language whilst being taught the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in small groups. Moreover, pupils have many opportunities for enrichment through local events and courses run by cultural institutions such as Routes into Languages and the Manchester universities.
The German Department run a very popular biannual German and Business Studies trip to Munich, during which you can practise your language skills and experience the German culture whilst learning about some of Germany’s biggest economic successes.
