The SGS Modern Foreign Languages Department offers the study of German, French and Spanish from 1st year to Leaving Certificate level. We also provide beginners Italian to all TY students. All four communication skills are developed, and students get a feel for the culture of the target language through presentations and portfolio-work at Junior Cycle. Grammar is generally considered the most challenging part of language learning but in our experience, students can easily absorb even the most difficult topics through games, rhymes and fun activities.
We are lucky at SGS to offer places annually to language assistants from Germany, France and Spain, who along with our many international students bring such a diversity and cultural flavour to our school, also creating many opportunities for our students to interact with native speakers daily and really use their target language. Our MFL Dept regularly organises tours and exchanges to Germany France, and Spain.
Languages taken to Higher Level Leaving Certificate remain a prerequisite entry requirement for many university courses. Many of our students continue with their language studies on into university, the most popular subject combinations with their language being: european studies, applied languages, linguistics, tourism, marketing, commerce and international business/law and legal studies. The study of LC Modern languages requires students to be proficient in the following skills: oral/speaking, written, aural/listening and reading. Grammar and cultural awareness are also essential elements of these courses.
SGS offers the possibility to study two modern languages from 1st year onwards, something which our MFL Dept greatly encourages, to ensure that our Irish students can successfully compete with their peers in Europe and broaden their horizons for future career paths.
At SGS we take part in national language competitions, celebrating the power of languages and cultures during Think Languages Week! From fun workshops and international food tastings to guest speakers and cultural showcases, students are exploring how learning new languages opens doors to global opportunities. It’s a week of discovery, creativity, and connection — proving that languages are not just subjects, but gateways to the world.
German
The German Department does a school tour to Germany every two years to offer students the opportunity to really use the target language and show what they have learned. We fly out to Germany for four days on an educational tour of the Rhineland region. On tour we visit a German castle, climb the famous cathedral in Cologne, ride a mountainside toboggan, go ice-skating, go bowling, go swimming, play laser tag, try out 3D mini-golf, visit the zoo, visit a German football stadium, do a virtual reality back-in-time experience, enjoy two different theme parks, ride the rollercoasters, go sightseeing, shopping, and eat lots of delicious German food! We cannot wait for the next one!!
We have been collaborating with the Gudrun Frey Stiftung for many years allowing us the wonderful addition to our staff number of two young German language assistants to help in our German Department and within the boarding houses. Senior students get weekly individual slots with the assistants for oral exam preparation which really enhances their exam performance.
Students are encouraged to appreciate all aspects of their German language studies, through literature, music and in celebrating German cultural events. We have events such as an Oktoberfest party with German food, singing, dancing, games and activities for all students of German and native speakers. Over the years students have baked German Christmas biscuits, sang German Christmas carols ‘Stille Nacht’ and ‘O Tannenbaum’, and done some folk dancing to the Gummibear song and a Bavarian Clap Dance ‘Der Guten-Tag Hop-Clop’. Students enjoy regular trips to the movies to see new releases from Germany!
French
First evening in Paris students visited the Louvre Museum, home to some of the most iconic works of art in the world like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. On our second night in Paris, we visited the Sacre Cœur in historic neighbourhood of Montmartre famed for its artistic heritage. It has a distinctive village atmosphere with winding, cobbled streets, making it feel different from the rest of Paris.
After a guided walking tour of Paris on day 2, students hopped on to the bateaux mouches to enjoy some of the sites from the Seine. We passed the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Pont Alexandre III.
November proved to be a great month to visit Paris. Students ascended the Eiffel tower to enjoy spectacular view of Paris all lit up!
Our last day in Paris was filled with fun at Disneyland and the nightly fireworks were a fabulous way to end a memorable trip!
Spanish
TY project with a Spanish school to explore classic literature from each other’s countries. While our school dove into the adventures of Don Quijote by Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish students studied Shakespeare. It was a great opportunity to share perspectives, discuss themes, and appreciate the richness of both literary traditions!
We organised a “Churros” sale in school to support Aware Ireland, a charity that promotes mental health awareness. The warm churros were a big hit with students and staff alike, and we were delighted to raise funds for such an important cause while sharing a taste of Spanish culture!
During our school trip to Valencia, we had the amazing opportunity to play a friendly rugby match against a local team. After the game, we exchanged rugby tops as a gesture of sportsmanship and cultural exchange. It was a great way to connect with players our own age, share our passion for rugby, and create lasting memories!
First Years learnt fun Spanish vocabulary related to love and friendship making heart shaped cards. We helped them practise phrases like te quiero and mi amigo/a. It was a fun and festive way to share our love for language learning!