Modern Foreign Languages

Why study a language?

The ability to communicate in a foreign language not only makes travelling abroad far more enjoyable but also is a skill highly valued by a wide range of employers. At university, business and management courses frequently include language modules. 

Moreover, universities see the ability to study and succeed in a foreign language as a marker of commitment, dedication and academic ability, and therefore having a qualification in a language is high on the list of priorities of many of Britain’s best universities. Language graduates are able to enter a wide range of professions, such as journalism, tourism, law and publishing, to name just a few. 

And finally, we must not forget that the ability to communicate with people from other cultures is one of the most satisfying and rewarding experiences in life, and one that opens up a whole host of doors to a young person.

Throughout the French and Spanish GCSE course, students will cover a variety of topics linked to them and their wider global community. These are based around the following three themes: identity and culture, local and global areas of interest, current and future study and employment. Within these, students will have the opportunity to branch out to debates of topics which are of genuine interest to them. The course structures for French and Spanish GCSE are identical and focus on developing reading, listening, speaking, writing and translation skills. 

Students with a global outlook and excellent communication will find that they have transferable skills which make them suitable for a whole range of different careers connected to languages. They will also find themselves in a great position to be able to pursue careers abroad. Not only that, but studying either GCSE French or Spanish will also open students up to the opportunity to study other languages at university and beyond.

There are so many options for careers that are directly related to languages. Here are just a few examples:

Translator

Interpreter (e.g. working for the UN or EU )

Language analyst at GCHQ

International marketing executive

Speech and language therapist 

Travel & tourism industry

International aid & development

Law

Foreign policy and diplomacy

Working abroad in any industry