Inspiring Linguistic and Cultural Curiosity: Modern Foreign Languages at Bradfield

Faulkner’s Curriculum

Launching the new Faulkner’s curriculum has inspired the ‘Languages & Culture’ course to include more specific cultural content, allowing pupils to explore the links between ancient and modern languages. Subject knowledge is still at the heart of everything we do, but the new curriculum has also enabled a broader focus. Inspired by the World of Languages, Languages of the World (WoLLoW) initiative, we have examined the health and mental benefits of language learning, and code-breaking techniques, as well as introducing them to linguistics and creative translation, giving pupils an appreciation of the interconnectedness of world languages and insight into languages beyond just those studied in class.

In the Anthea Bell Prize, organised by Queen’s College, Oxford, Ludo (LA) was Highly Commended for his creative translation of the German poem “Grashüpfer” by Heinrich Seidel, and Heidi (LJ) was the Area Winner for her translation of an extract from “Ma Famille du Cameroun: de Paris à Yaoundé” by Jessica Reuss- Nliba and Didier Reus, fantastic achievements.

Paris Trip

At the start of Michaelmas Long Leave, Sixth Form pupils studying French headed to Paris on a four-day cultural visit. Staying on the outskirts they became experts at using the Metro and RER to visit many of the main sites of Paris including Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, La Tour Eiffel, le Centre Pompidou and the Louvre. They also spent a day at Versailles and enjoyed some pure relaxation and fun at Disneyland Paris. The Bateau Mouche trip down the Seine will live on in memory, as will the unexpected video of our group exploring the Cinema Rex, and all returned to Bradfield with a greater appreciation of this wonderful city and the language immersion opportunities it offers.

Improving Conversational Language

This year we have increased opportunities for French conversational practice. In what will hopefully become a regular fixture, this March Y10 pupils from College Colette spent the day at Bradfield giving our pupils some conversational practice. Next year we also hope to spend a day at College Colette, perhaps combining it with a day trip to Paris.

In November, eight Sixth Form linguists travelled to Cheltenham College to participate in their annual MFL Debating Competition. Pupils competed in pairs against other schools, debating three different topics in their studied language; French, German or Spanish. The competition was intense, pushing pupils outside their comfort zones but also increasing their linguistic confidence.

The Importance of Language and Inter-cultural Understanding: Sir Jeremy Blackham KCB (E 57-61)

Having studied Classics at school, Sir Jeremy joined the Navy in 1961 rising through the ranks to become Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Equipment Capability) before leaving in 2002 to become UK Country President of Airbus, followed by independent consultancy in the defence sector. A frequent speaker at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and Kings College London, he has also been Editor of the Naval Review for the last 20 years.

In a wide-ranging talk, Sir Jeremy shared his enthusiasm and the joy that speaking a foreign language can bring while also reflecting on why, in today’s world, understanding each other’s languages matters so much. He began his talk with some riddle-like questions;

Why are there five different languages spoken in Spain?

Why is German widely spoken in the Trentino in Italy?

Why is Welsh spoken in Patagonia?

He explained that language is a key part of understanding how our world has developed and talked about the impact history has had on language and what language can tell us about history. Describing language as ‘a curious beast’, he asked us to consider starting from Dunkirk and walking east to Vladivostok, demonstrating how everyone can speak to their next-door neighbour and that language shifts slowly and subtly and oral language is often different from the standard languages we learn at school.

He also explored what is special about language, the ability to form and express abstract ideas, philosophy, subtlety and aspiration. Without words we cannot form complex thoughts in a transferable way or communicate them to others or indeed to ourselves. He also spoke in depth about the art and subtlety of translation, the danger of simplifying language and the repressive impact that can have on ideas.

LANGUAGE IS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR ALL THAT MAKES CIVILISATION; ART, SCIENCE AND MATHS, WITHOUT LANGUAGE WE CANNOT LEARN.

Suggesting that our range of thought depends on the richness of the available language, he said that it was no accident that Greek was the first language to develop serious philosophy because of its sophistication, extensive vocabulary and ability to indicate precise shades of meaning by the inflections of its words.

A RICH AND VARIED LANGUAGE, FREELY USED, IS A MAJOR GUARD AGAINST REPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT

Sir Jeremy warned that the world is at a difficult and arguably dangerous point in its history, with differences of opinion in politics and a tendency to take very narrow national positions. The key to understanding problems and working towards their resolution is always knowledge, communication, mutual respect and understanding, without these history shows us that there is no peace.

He understands that whilst learning the hundreds of languages of the world is not realistic, it is possible to learn the basics and at the very least to improve one’s understanding of the business and social customs of other nations to avoid offence. He impressed upon us the immense value of immersing oneself in the culture and language by living and working in the country where that language is spoken.