SUBJECT FOCUS LANGUAGES

Mrs Penfold (MFL Department)

Can you tell us about the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) team at St Edmund’s?

Our MFL department in September will comprise of Mrs Richardson, Mrs Penfold and Mr Wilkinson as well as Mrs Morrissey and Mrs Chichester who will be returning from maternity leave.

Between us we teach French and Spanish from Nursery to Form 11, which requires different skill sets, but we like to see ourselves as adaptable!

How did you develop a passion for teaching foreign languages?

Languages have always been seen as important in my family. My father worked for a French company and even one of my grandmothers studied French at university! When I was at school French and German were mainly offered but Spanish was creeping in. Growing up I was also a fan of the Alan Whicker travel programmes (if any of you can remember them?) and that as well as a love of geography and travel meant that I wanted to study languages to a higher level after school.

What languages do you teach, and why did you choose to specialise in those particular languages?

I love the languages and cultures of both France and Spain and the wider Francophone and Latin American world. I can teach French and Spanish, although French is the language that I have studied the longest. During my university degree, I spent a year in Rennes in France and then after my degree I went to live in Bilbao in Spain. I have even taught German to Year 9 in my teaching career!

Can you tell us more about the different school trips that we offer our pupils at St Edmund’s to enhance their learning of MFL?

This academic year Form 7 went to ‘Château Baudonnière’ in Normandy in France to immerse themselves in the culture and the language. This was as enjoyable as ever according to staff and children! There was also a Senior School trip to Cádiz in Spain, with language classes and cultural excursions, which was another success. Watch this space for more trips next academic year!

In what way do you incorporate technology and digital tools into your language lessons?

The Senior School pupils now use their Microsoft surfaces in class, and these can enhance their use of the 4 skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) needed at French and Spanish GCSE. The Lower Prep and Prep School children sometimes have the chance to use ICT in their language classes. Looking to the future, the department would like to have more interactive links with French and Spanish speaking schools.

What advice would you give to students who may feel discouraged or struggle with language learning?

Try and persevere if you can. Find a way to learn grammar and vocabulary that suits your learning style. A foreign language is a skill for life, and you never know whether you may need it for work or to communicate with a future partner!

How do you stay updated with the latest developments and trends in the field of foreign language teaching?

Sharing ideas and good practice with colleagues is a great way to keep up with trends. Also, social media has meant that there are a wealth of resources and ideas online from other teachers around the world.