Staff:

 Margaret O’Boyle (Head of Spanish)

Anne Clarke (Head of French)

Pamela Scullion (Head of Irish)

Ian McMillan (Head of German)

Janet Moffett (French and Spanish Teacher)

Grace Susay (Head of Languages)

Clare Murphy (Languages Support Coordinator)

 About the Department

The Languages’ department offers Spanish, French, Irish and German to all students. We are proud of the fact that all students study two languages for the first three years with all students continuing with one or two languages to GCSE level. All of the above languages are offered at AS and A2 level. In addition there is a Latin Club and extra curricular Greek and Russian.

Each language classroom is equipped with the latest interactive whiteboard technology. In the Languages department, we believe in bringing languages to life, making learning as fun and interactive as possible. At the same time we aim to challenge students so that each student reaches his/her potential. Some of the many activities we do include are sampling food from different countries and taking part in games and quizzes and learning songs as a means of practising the languages.

Extra – curricular activities include French, German and Spanish lunchtime clubs run by our foreign language assistants and regular competitions. This year students of German have taken part in an “immersion” trip in which they enjoyed a range of outdoor activities whilst at the same time improving their language skills. There is also a trip to Cantabria in Spain and a trip to the Donegal Gaeltacht. Our sixth form students have successfully completed their work experience in French and Germany.

Aims and objectives:

• We wish to give students a positive and enjoyable language experience to enable students to communicate effectively in the language they are learning.
• Improve the overall communication skills of students so that they are able to make a meaningful contribution to society and the world of work.
• Widen a student’s understanding of different cultures and traditions.

Language learning success stories at Shimna

This year one year 9 student and two year 10 students of French did their GCSE early gaining excellent grades.

A German sixth form student completed his work experience in a German company which designs and manufactures components for aircraft.

Our sixth form students of French completed their work experience in France. They worked in a primary school and stayed with French families. We also hosted French students and organised work experience for them in the Slieve Donard Hotel, The St. Patrick Centre and Tesco’s, Newcastle. Our Irish students completed their work experience in Irish Medium Schools in Newry, Downpatrick and Castlewellan.

One of our students of German is currently completing a year of study at a school in Germany. This will give her valuable language skills and she will be able to share her new experiences with us on her return.

Dr. Robb from the German Department at Queens University visited us and gave a careers talk to year 10, 11, 12 and 13 students.

One of our parents attained an A* in her GCSE Irish exam and three year 8 students attained grades A’s and B’s.

This year and last year we hosted students from Germany they spend three months or so with a local family and attend our school.

Lynette Faye BBC Radio Ulster’s Irish “ Blas” programme came on European languages day and the radio programme is posted on the internet.

European Day of Languages on the 26^th September was a huge success. Some of the events included:-

• Local businesses donating foreign food and drink for a grand sale in the hall. Students sampled French, German, Spanish, Italian, Swiss and Irish Food. It all went down a treat!
• Students in year 8 and 9 took part in poster and badge competitions and year 10 students enjoyed a table quiz with questions about Europe.
• We had a special assembly in the morning in which parents of different nationalities spoke in their mother tongue.
• All subject teachers tried to speak in different languages for some of their lessons. There was a prize for the teacher that tried the hardest.
• Posters were put up in our local town, Newcastle, informing the public about European Day of Languages. Shop owners were given phrases to use in different languages to help welcome visitors.
• We ended the day with an awards assembly for years 8,9,10. Prizes were given out to those students who made the best effort that week and contributed well to European Day of Languages.