Modern Languages
About the Department
The Head of Department is Mrs. Paula Parkinson, who is also the Housemistress of School House. She is ably assisted by additional teachers as follows:
Mr. Colin Paton:
Spanish subject co-ordinator, I.C.T., sixth form Spanish schemes of work
Miss Kathryn Grice:
Spanish society, trips, internal Spanish examinations, junior Spanish schemes of work, Spanish resources
Mrs. Michele Reid:
Higher Education, French society
Mrs. Elisabeth Sutton:
Sixth form oral preparation in French
In this modern world where travel, communication and business are increasingly international, being able to speak another language is a great asset.
Within the Department of Modern Languages at Worksop College we offer both French and Spanish to GCSE, AS or A level. Whether as a single or a double linguist, during all these courses you will learn to communicate your own views at a competent level and to understand what is said to you by others, either in speech or on paper. In addition, you will gain an appreciation for the traditional cultural aspects of the countries where the languages are spoken, both in Europe and in the wider world, which is essential to understand where native speakers are coming from and how certain issues are very important in their lives.
We follow the AQA examination courses at all levels and use the Nelson Thorne text books linked to these examination, along with their interactive resources.
The Department aims to:
- To allow every pupil to reach the highest possible level in language learning dependent on academic ability.
- To promote the value and enjoyment of learning a foreign language and to encourage the appreciation and understanding of other cultures.
- To encourage pupils to have the confidence to communicate in the foreign language and the desire to travel to the countries where the languages are spoken.
We measure our success by the number of our pupils who opt to continue their study of languages after life at the school.
The department is located in the Meynell building giving us a suite of dedicated language classrooms, and a large language laboratory which each class uses at least once a week and which is also available for 6th form use during study lessons.
Of those who study Modern Languages in the sixth form at least half will go on to read French or Spanish at university, whilst others chose to learn a completely new language or to combine their language with other subjects such as Law or Business Studies. Our linguists have gained entry to the top universities and many now work all over the world.