ºìÐÓÊÓƵ

“The more languages you learn, the more truths you can unravel.
And the more countries you travel, the greater your understanding.
And the greater your understanding, the less you see differences.
And the more knowledge you gain, the wider your perspective,
And the wider your perspective, the lesser your ignorance.”
From ‘WONDERLAND’ : Suzy Kassem

In today’s competitive world, COMMUNICATION SKILLS are at the top of every employer’s list of sought-after qualities; reading, writing and listening carefully, together with speaking clearly and articulately, are all very highly prized: skills we seek to promote and encourage in the Languages Department!  Learning another language increases creativity and flexibility, engenders a sense of accomplishment, nurtures sociability, self-esteem and self-confidence and develops strong interpersonal skills.

“To have another language is to possess a second soul.”
Charlemagne (‘Pater Europae’)

Of course, our young children in the Lower School are unconcerned with such ideas!  They are naturally confident and curious, they are excited by the idea of learning another language and, most of all they want to have fun!  From songs, games, rhymes and puppets in these early years, to opportunities for performance, challenges through local and national competitions, our Exchange programme and trips abroad, we aim to develop a love of the language.  By teaching about festivals and traditions alongside the language, we aim to give our pupils another window from which to look at the world, to inspire another way to think about things, to promote tolerance and to nurture the idea that their idea of seeing the world is not the only way.

“If you speak to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.  If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”
Nelson Mandela