Modern Languages
Modern Languages play an important role in the curriculum at Alexandra College in both the 
Junior and Senior Cycle.
In First Year, pupils select one language from a choice of French, German and Spanish. They attend three classes per week in their chosen language. In Second and Third Year, pupils attend four classes per week in their chosen language.
French, German, Spanish and Italian are studied in Transition Year, with the added option for pupils to take a beginners’ module in any one of these four languages. They may opt to continue to learn this new language in the Senior Cycle.
In the Senior Cycle, students continue to study their chosen language(s) in preparation for the Leaving Certificate oral german mapand written examinations.
All languages are taught as much as possible through the medium of the target language, thus placing particular emphasis on communicative skills. The Modern Language department has a wide range of resources, including the use of ICT and multi-media. The school library has a good selection of foreign language novels, magazines and DVDs.
There is a considerable commitment to activities that support the teaching and learning of French, German, Spanish and Italian outside the classroom. The Modern Languages Department strives to make languages relevant and fun to learn. In September each year we celebrate European Day of Languages with a variety of multi-lingual activities. Excursions include cinema and theatre visits. Pupils in the Senior Cycle participate in inter-school debates, quizzes and drama workshops. italian mapStudents are also encouraged to spend time in a country where their target language is spoken. They may also have the opportunity to participate in a school exchange or a school trip to a target language country in their Transition Year.
Career Opportunities
Modern Language Graduates have a wide choice of careers open to them. They may pursue careers closely related to the language, such as interpreting, translating or teaching but they will also find that qualifications in a modern language are useful in many other fields, amongst the most common of which are travel and tourism, journalism and media, finance, sales and marketing, management services and public relations. spanish map
Students who aspire to work in international affairs or within the legal, financial or administrative institutions of the European Union should consider studying a second modern language in order to enhance their career opportunities.