Languages

Head of Department:  Mrs K Stone

At Priestlands, our Languages curriculum is designed to open doors to the wider world by equipping students with the communication skills and cultural understanding they need to thrive in an international society. We
aim to develop confident speakers, attentive listeners, and thoughtful global citizens who are ready to engage with diverse cultures and communities.

Through interactive learning and real-world contexts, students explore how language works, how meaning is conveyed, and how communication shapes our world. They learn to speak, listen, read, and write in another
language, while also gaining insight into the customs, traditions, and values of other cultures.

Languages are more than just vocabulary and grammar—it’s about thinking critically, understanding perspectives, and building bridges across cultures. Our students gain the linguistic skills and cultural
awareness that are valuable in every walk of life.

In our language lessons we strive to give our students a strong foundation in communication, empathy, and cross-cultural awareness.

Choosing Your Path at Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, students can deepen their language learning through one or more of the following languages:
French, German or Spanish or a mix of the three.

Students study the following three themes:

  • People and Lifestyle, including: Identity and relationships with others; Healthy living and lifestyle; Education and work
  • Popular Culture, including: Free time activities; Customs, festivals and celebrations; celebrity culture
  • Communication and the world around us, including: Travel and tourism; the environment and where people live; Media and technology

The exam is divided into the four language skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing all of equal weighting. Students will build on their knowledge of vocabulary across these themes as well as securing their
grammar understanding and cultural awareness in French, German and/or Spanish.

By the end of KS4, students at Priestlands:

  • Communicate confidently in spoken and written French, German, and/or Spanish
  • Understand and respond to a range of authentic texts and spoken language
  • Use grammar and vocabulary effectively to express themselves with increasing accuracy
  • Appreciate the cultures, traditions, and societies of French, Spanish, and German-speaking countries
  • Leave us with strong communication skills and a broader worldview
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