European Day of Languages at QEH

The European Day of Languages is celebrated across Europe on the 26th of September every year. It aims to promote the rich linguistic diversity of Europe and raise awareness of the importance of lifelong language learning for everyone.

At QEH we are proud that our students are so enthusiastic about the study of a modern foreign language, particularly when fewer than half of all pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland now sit a GCSE foreign language exam.

Here students in Year 7 are given a thorough introduction to language structure, with the emphasis on enjoyment, and in Year 8 French and German are introduced. Each boy studies at least one modern foreign language at GCSE.

This high level of participation continues into the Sixth Form, where around a fifth of our students are taking at least one modern foreign language at A-level. In 2020 86% of modern foreign languages (French, German, Spanish) grades were A*/A.

This study of languages is enhanced by trips to a variety of European and other destinations as well as Roman and Greek sites both at home and abroad, exchange visits, conversation with French, Spanish or German assistants and plays, including those in our own purpose-built theatre and of course, cooking up a traditional feast.

Participation is the key and enthusiasm is the result!