Modern Foreign Languages

Linguistics Olympiad

Each year, young linguists gather to test their inquisitive minds against the world’s toughest puzzles in language and linguistics. No prior knowledge of linguistics or languages is required: even the hardest problems require students’ logical ability, patient work, and willingness to think around corners. Linguistics Olympiads offer a fantastic opportunity for students to improve their logical and analytical thinking and to learn about world languages. This year’s Olympiad took place on February 8, and 14 students competed in solving problems based on such languages as Albanian, the Mayan language of K’iche, Permyak and many others. The selection of problems proved to be challenging and well done to everyone for participating and trying their best.

In the Beginners–Intermediate Level, 3rd place was awarded to Tiffany Xu, 2nd place to Ayomide Sotande-Peters and 1st place to Hannah Cleallsmith.

In the Advanced Level, 3rd place, and the Bronze Certificate from the UKLO, was awarded to Natalie Moody, 2nd place, and

Deutsches Fest

In March, Lancing students studying German celebrated Deutsches Fest in the Megarry Room with a delicious candlelit dinner worthy of any respectable ‘Gaststätte’. The Schnitzel, Wurst, Apfelstrudel and Black Forest Gateau served up were all super lecker and very authentic. Students worked in teams and participated in the quiz on ‘all things German’, learned how to dance a traditional Bavarian Trachtentanz and enjoyed some Schlager music. The dress code was to wear something schwarz/rot/gold and Herr Drozdov and Frau Stockel won the best costume award.

German is an important language to learn as it has the largest number of native speakers in Europe, and Germany continues to be the UK’s top trading partner in Europe. Furthermore, Germany is a country with an intriguing history and fascinating culture and traditions. It is a rewarding language to learn, and our students deserved a celebration of their hard work. Well done to everyone attending – great fun was had by all!

the Bronze Certificate, to Alex Mawhiney and 1st place, and the Silver Certificate, was awarded to Adrian Lam.

Official UKLO guidelines state that Gold is awarded to the top 5% best performing students in the country, Silver to the top 10% and Bronze to the top 20%. Congratulations!

SERGEI DROZDOV Head of MFL & German