Language Academy

St George's Language Academy Courses 2024-25

Multilingual learners need multiple opportunities to increase their language competency. While practice makes perfect, more importantly, practice increases confidence in spoken and written communication, both essential for studying and working in an international context. 

The Language Academy runs courses in Italian, French and Spanish after school on Mondays and Wednesdays (90 minute lessons) to allow students:

  • who already speak the language fluently to improve on their academic writing skills through the study of grammar, linguistic structures and vocabulary at a level they have not previously studied 
  • the opportunity to improve their current language skills by having further exposure to it and guided practice in producing it accurately and consistently at the appropriate level 
  • to be introduced to a new language with a view to developing it for the future, in the understanding that being able to communicate simple, clear messages requires an ability to produce the grammar and vocabulary of the language when speaking and writing it.

Through the Academy students can choose to sit official and internationally recognised language certification with the Institut Français, the Instituto Cervantes, and the Università per Stranieri di Perugia. 

As with all CCA's offered, courses run for 27 weeks (split 10 in Term 1, 9 in Term 2, 8 in Term 3) from October to June, providing over 40 hours of language instruction in small groups of similar ability. Students are encouraged to develop their practical, theoretical and investigative skills necessary to engage in the critical, creative and cultural exploration of the world around them.

Successful language learners are:

1.curious about the language and culture

2.not afraid to make mistakes

3.aware of the need to use new words and structures many times in order to learn 

4.open to feedback and prepared to act on it

5. able to check their work carefully and pay attention to patterns and detail

6. active readers and listeners who independently seek opportunities to expose themselves to the language in their free time (Netflix, language app on your phone and online grammar quizzes.

7. thinkers - they always try and work out meaning through context