Modern Foreign Languages play a very important part within the curriculum at Box Hill School. The Modern Languages Department is fully committed to the values of international understanding within the Round Square principles. Trips to the countries where the languages are spoken are offered on a regular basis in order to increase motivation and to encourage direct contact with different cultures.

Studying Modern Languages and learning to understand the different cultures and traditions are aspects of utmost importance in the educational process. In the modern world more people than ever travel abroad and we cannot imagine the world of work without multiple links to many countries around the globe. Thus, studying foreign languages is becoming evermore important.

All pupils at Box Hill School study two Modern Languages at Key Stage 3 (French and Spanish in Years 7 and 8 and then any combination of two languages out of French, Spanish, German and Mandarin Chinese in Year 9). We strongly encourage all pupils to study at least one Modern Foreign Language for GCSE.

Modern Languages is part of the core programme within the IB curriculum. Every IB diploma student will study at least one foreign language in addition to their own native language. For the IB, languages can be studied at different levels:

Language A1:

Students whose native language is not English can study the A1 literature programme in their own language (Standard or Higher). This is currently available for German, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Korean.

Language B:

For students with previous knowledge of the foreign language, equivalent to a good GCSE pass grade. Language B is currently offered in French, German and Spanish.

Foundation Level (ab initio):

For students with little or no previous knowledge of the language. Courses are currently available in Spanish and Japanese.

For more information about the Modern Foreign Languages Department please contact Mr. Heinrich Niemann, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at niemannh@boxhillschool.org.uk