VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
Language learning: opening the door to opportunity
Tell us a bit about your school.
King David High School is a high-achieving, mixed voluntary aided 11-18 Jewish faith school in Liverpool, serving 766 students. With 10.5% of students eligible for free school meals, 21.15% identified as having SEND, inclusion is central to our vision.
Guided by our motto “Let there be light through faith and work”, we are committed to providing excellence through education. Combining a stimulating curriculum with strong British values, we place the individual needs of every pupil at the heart of school life. We are proud of our diverse community and celebrate the richness that different languages, cultures and experiences bring to our school every day.
E
ducation Today speaks with Alexandra Brown, Subject Leader for MFL at King David High School in Liverpool, to find out more about how languages are taught at the school – and the benefits that learning and teaching languages can bring, for pupils and teachers alike.
What power and potential does language learning hold for learners’ futures? We see language learning as far more than acquiring a qualification; it is a gateway to success across the curriculum and beyond school. Through languages, students develop literacy, communication, problem-solving, resilience, cultural awareness and critical thinking, all of which support achievement in other subjects and prepare them for life in a global society. Language learning complements the national PSHE curriculum by promoting respect, citizenship and understanding of different cultures and perspectives. It also supports the Gatsby Benchmarks through the development
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of employability skills and exposure to a range of careers. Using examples of role models such as Jude Bellingham, alongside the global reach of social media, helps students recognise the value of languages in modern life.
I see languages as a powerful tool for broadening horizons, raising aspirations and equipping young people with the confidence and adaptability needed for their future education, careers and communities.
The Pearson School & College Report 2026 found that six in 10 language teachers are increasingly concerned about student disengagement. Does this surprise you? I am not surprised by the findings, especially given the challenges facing MFL nationally but I am optimistic about what schools can do in response. Languages are inherently relevant because they connect students to different people, cultures and opportunities. Our role is to make those connections clear through engaging and meaningful learning experiences. At King David, educational visits have been particularly effective in raising engagement. Experiences in Paris and Berlin have helped students see the practical value of language learning and often motivate them to improve effort and attainment. Visits that include landmarks and experiences such as the PSG/ Hertha Berlin stadiums connect languages to students’ existing interests and help them see where language learning might take them in the
October 2026
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