Kenton College Preparatory School
Languages
We believe that Languages are an essential part of every pupil’s toolkit in an increasingly interconnected world. All pupils sit French at Common Entrance, as well as studying a second language alongside this.
French
We focus primarily on the four core skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking but we also place great emphasis on France as a country and French culture so that our pupils are always mindful of the practical application of the language they are learning and its place in the wider world.
Spanish
Spanish is one of the fastest growing and most widely spoken languages in the world, and before long will play a significant role in the sectors of business, commerce, tourism, research, education and entertainment. Here at Kenton, we choose to embrace this fact, and study Spanish not simply because it makes sense to do so, but because it is varied, fascinating, peculiar and thoroughly enjoyable!
Latin
Pupils at Kenton with the curiosity to delve into the Classical world may do so by selecting Latin as their language option in Year 6. ​Learning Latin involves a detailed understanding of general grammatical concepts, which can be a great benefit in learning languages; specifically with its derivations in English and its connections to European Languages. Classics and the study of Latin enables pupils to explore an enriching chapter in the history of humanity, through the learning of the culture, politics, history, literature and mythology of the Ancient World.
Swahili
This is the most important and widely studied indigenous language of Africa, the National and official language of Kenya and Tanzania. It is spoken as a native language on the East coast of Africa and the islands adjacent to the coast from Southern Somalia in the north, down through the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts. All pupils from Years 2 to 5 and optional groups in Years 6 to 8 learn Swahili as we believe that there is a necessity for Kenton pupils to learn basic Kiswahili, to be able to communicate with the people around them. Moreover, language competence and intercultural understanding are not optional extras, they are an essential part of being a citizen.