Languages – other

Why learn an additional language at The Perse?

At The Perse, learning languages is about more than mastering vocabulary and grammar. It is about discovering new cultures, broadening perspectives and developing the confidence to communicate across the world. We believe that language learning also develops vital transferable skills, including communication, analytical thinking, problem-solving and the ability to synthesise information from a range of sources. Alongside French, Spanish, Italian, German, Mandarin, Latin and Greek, pupils have opportunities to explore additional languages through extracurricular clubs and even an extracurricular Japanese GCSE programme.

Exploring new languages

In Year 8, pupils choose two languages to study. They may continue with both French and Spanish, or choose one of these and select a new second language from German or Mandarin Chinese. Designed for beginners, these courses introduce pupils to the foundations of a new language while developing their understanding of its culture and traditions. For many, this provides the confidence to continue studying a less familiar language in Year 9 and beyond.

We also offer an ab initio Italian course, which can be selected in Year 9 with a view to continuing to GCSE in Years 10 and 11.

Beyond the classroom

Pupils who wish to extend their language learning can join our extracurricular GCSE courses in Japanese, designed for complete beginners, and Mandarin Chinese, intended for those with some prior knowledge of the language. These courses provide the opportunity to gain additional qualifications alongside the main curriculum, while language clubs allow younger pupils to explore new languages before committing to formal study. Together, these opportunities reflect the department’s commitment to fostering curiosity, independence and a lifelong enthusiasm for languages.

Recent highlights

The breadth of language opportunities available at The Perse enables pupils to pursue interests well beyond the core curriculum. Whether discovering a completely new language, studying linguistics or working towards an additional GCSE, pupils develop valuable communication skills, cultural understanding and the confidence to engage with an increasingly interconnected world.