Shell Guide to the Curriculum 2026-2027

YOU MUST CHOOSE AT LEAST ONE MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE

YOU MUST CHOOSE AT LEAST ONE MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE

French French is the second most widely learned language in the world after English, and the fifth most widely spoken. With more than 220 million native speakers across more than 30 countries, it is an extremely useful language to learn. As the language of our nearest neighbour it remains highly sought-after by UK businesses. France is also the most-visited country in the world – and French is a valuable asset for those who go on to learn other Romance languages. During the Shell year, we will encourage and inspire you to be curious about the language and francophone culture. The course tackles the first theme of the GCSE course (People and lifestyle) and builds solid foundations in grammar and language specific skills. This is a continuation course and previous knowledge of French is preferred.

good amount of the basic grammar. You will be expected to keep on top of your weekly assignments and to consolidate your knowledge between lessons. The German Society runs regular cultural and social activities which all pupils learning German in the School are encouraged to attend.

Spanish Spanish has become one of the most popular languages to study in the UK. It is the second most-spoken language in the world, with over 485 million native speakers globally, and is the official language of 20 different countries. Studying the language gives you the opportunity to discover the different cultures and customs of the Spanish-speaking world and has many benefits in later life, especially if you are considering working internationally or in the Americas. For those who have already studied the language, the Spanish programme for Shells builds on your previous learning, while beginners who have no previous experience form most of the cohort language by British employers. In the Shell year you will learn to talk all about yourself, your home, your friends, family, school, hobbies, food and holidays. You will quickly become familiar with a wide range of vocabulary and phrases, and master a school and university, German is the number one most sought-after foreign

At Teddies, all pupils study at least one of French, Spanish and German until Sixth Form. In the Shell, pupils are prepared for the GCSE courses with the foundations of the languages. Shell pupils usually continue studying a language or languages that they already have studied and may take up new ones. Typically, French is studied by pupils with some prior experience of learning it; German and Spanish are often taken up as new languages.

German

Over 100 million people in Europe speak German as their mother tongue. This makes it the most widely spoken language on the continent. German is the official language in Germany and Austria and is also spoken widely in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Belgium; it is learnt and spoken by a great many people around the world, too. Looking ahead to your life beyond

in Spanish. You will learn to express yourself on a range of useful topics, which provides the groundwork for GCSE should you decide to continue into the Fourth Form and beyond.

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GUIDE TO THE SHELL CURRICULUM 2026–2027