In the Modern Languages Department we aim not just to shape confident and talented linguists, but also to inspire students to see language learning as a lifelong process of discovering new cultures and new perspectives.

At Akademeia High School we offer four languages at both iGCSE and A level: French, German, Spanish and Russian.

Head of Department
Dr Keith Walmsley
French and Russian, University of Oxford
Russian Literature, University of St. Andrews
IPGCE, University of Sheffield

I really like that instead of only focusing on the language itself we also go into disciplines such as literature, philosophy or sociology, which gives a deeper insight into German culture and makes the interaction with the language much more interesting.

Josefina, Year 12 Student

Modern Languages Curricula
 

Pearson Edexcel IGCSE (French, German, Spanish)

  • Home and abroad
  • Education and employment
  • Personal life and relationships
  • The world around us
  • Social activities, fitness and health
     

Pearson Edexcel GCSE (Russian)

  • Identity and culture
  • Local area, holiday and travel
  • School
  • Future aspirations, study and work
  • International and global dimension

The learning of modern languages at the school reflects the interdisciplinary ethos that underpins Akademeia’s approach to education as a whole with lessons designed around cultural experience as much as linguistic practice. Whilst the A Level course itself requires research into history, art, literature, and politics, this is supported by a full co-curricular programme (including excursions abroad and more specific language options), which encourages the development of skills to be applied across the curriculum.

Dr Keith Walmsley, Head of Modern Languages Department

AQA A Level

French

  1. Trends in French society: the family, the digital world, the place of voluntary work
  2. Aspects of French society: diversity, the marginalised, criminality
  3. Artistic culture in the French-speaking world: heritage, music, cinema
  4. Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world: democracy, demonstrations, politics and immigration

German

  1. Aspects of German-speaking society: the family, the digital world, youth culture
  2. Multiculturalism in German-speaking society: immigration, integration, racism
  3. Artistic culture in the German-speaking world: festivals and traditions, art and architecture, cultural life in Berlin
  4. Aspects of political life in the German-speaking world: Germany and the European Union, Politics and youth, German re-unification and its consequences

Spanish

  1. Aspects of Hispanic society: the family, the digital world, equal rights
  2. Multiculturalism in Hispanic society: immigration, racism, integration
  3. Artistic culture in the Hispanic world: modern day idols, Spanish regional identity, cultural heritage
  4. Aspects of political life in the Hispanic world: youth and politics, monarchies and dictatorships, popular movements
     

Pearson Edexcel A Level

Russian

  1. The development of Russian society: youth in Russia, education, the world of work
  2. Political and artistic culture in Russophone countries: popular culture, the media, festivals and traditions
  3. Moscow or Saint-Petersburg: demographic changes, social problems, urban development and pollution
  4. The last years of the USSR: Perestroika, Glasnost’, 1991 and the fall of the USS

I think what I like the most about studying languages at Akademeia is that we don’t just learn grammar by memorizing, but we also speak a lot and use the structures that we have learned before.

Hanna, Year 11 student

University Options

Students with a modern language A-Level have many opportunities for further study, whether they wish to pursue a languages degree or add an extra dimension to a more vocational discipline by combining their language of choice with another subject of interest.

The best UK universities for degrees in modern languages (from ‘The Guardian University Guide 2022: Modern Languages and Linguistics’) are listed below:

  1. The University of Oxford
  2. The University of St Andrews
  3. The University of Cambridge
  4. The University of Surrey
  5. Sheffield Hallam University
  6. The University of Durham
  7. The University of Aberystwyth
  8. The University of Hull
  9. The University of Bristol
  10. The University of Swansea

I love the level of study: nothing we do is too easy or too difficult. We always do something that challenges us.

Nathalie, Year 10 student

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