Languages are a specialism of Twyford CofE Trust schools. We care passionately about teaching foreign languages because they offer us a chance to appreciate and value cultures different to our own and this helps us to stretch and engage fully with the wider world.

At Ada Lovelace we are really proud and excited to teach German as our primary foreign language for all students in year 7 as this links excellently to Lovelace’s commitment to computational thinking and problem solving.

Students who excel in their first year of German will be able to study a second foreign language in year 8, with the opportunity to study both at GCSE. Students are also encouraged to take qualifications in their native language.

The Twyford CofE Academies Trust has developed programmes to support the learning of languages in local primary schools and students from Ada Lovelace will act a Language Ambassadors supporting this programme.

Thames West Language Network

In September 2023 Ada Lovelace was selected to lead the Thames West Language Network for the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE). The NCLE is working with schools to raise the profile of languages and strengthen language teaching and learning in England.

The Thames West Language Network is one of 14 Language Networks across the country, working at local and regional levels to connect schools in communities of practice. They will drive change through research-informed action and sharing knowledge through Language Educators Online (LEO), NCLE’s free online professional learning platform for languages teachers.

The Thames West Language Network will build on the success of our Language Hub and expand our reach through a programme of webinars and teach-meets to include more schools across the region. By joining a national network of schools, we will be working together with the NCLE to break down barriers to opportunity for all pupils.  

Curriculum

Year 7

The Twyford Academies Trust philosophy of language learning revolves around the idea that exposure to the Language is essential. The more exposure to a language a pupil has, the more fluent he or she becomes. This exposure happens firstly in the lessons and secondly in the numerous trips, which pupils are encouraged to take part in.

The lessons are therefore taught essentially in the target language. There is a great emphasis on listening skills and memorisation. Language lessons follow a rigorous pattern which is in line with Ofsted requirements. They practice all 4 skills (speaking, writing, reading and listening), regularly and are supported to tackle complex grammar from early on in order to build a really strong language learning foundation. A very detailed programme of lessons and assessments has been put into place and parents will be able to access to it via Copia our online learning platform.

German in Year 7

In year 7, students will learn how to talk about themselves, their hobbies, their school life, their homes and also holidays.

The Extra-curricular Offer:

Our provision is enhanced by a varied portfolio of extra-curricular activities and we hope to resume our full range of trips abroad once it is safe to do so. These will include a German trip to the Rhine valley, and a joint History trip to Berlin in Year 10. We also offer a wealth of activities closer to home, with extended electives in foreign media and additional foreign languages. There are also numerous competition and one-off events throughout the year as we understand that learning a language is about so much more than just vocabulary and grammar.