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Modern Languages

Housed in an attractive and recently refurbished Georgian building and in the new classrooms of the main school building, the Modern Languages department is, physically and spiritually, at the heart of the School. We believe that learning a foreign language has never been more important, for the diverse and valuable skillset that it develops, the cultural awareness and sensitivity that it promotes, and the sheer intellectual challenge and stimulation that it offers.

Traditionally, the second most popular degree course for leavers is either languages or a language combined with another course.

Tonbridge Modern Languages were recognised by Geoff Lucas (editor of the Good Schools Guide) in an article which appeared in the First Eleven and featured in Country Life as one of the best Modern Languages departments in the country. This is reflected in the numbers of boys who choose to pursue modern languages beyond Tonbridge: every year, the department sends boys to Oxford and Cambridge, and traditionally, the second most popular degree course for leavers is either languages or a language combined with another subject.

Mr William Law

Head of Modern Languages, Head of French
BA, University of Oxford

Ms Maria del Mar Ponce Galan

Head of Spanish
BS, University of Salamanca

Mr Sholto Kerr

Head of German
BA, University of Birmingham

Mr Justin Wu

Head of Mandarin
MA, Fudan University, Shanghai

Ms Melanie Brenchley

Teacher of French
BA, Université Michel de Montaigne, Bordeaux

Mr Richard Burnett

Teacher of Divinity
MA, University of Cambridge

Mr Richard Hoare

Teacher of Spanish, Teacher of French
MA, University of Oxford

Mr Juan Cerezuela Ortega

Teacher of Spanish
MA, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)
BA, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)

Mr James Storey-Mason

Teacher of French, Housemaster of Judde House
BA, University of Nottingham

Mr Jean-Patrick Vieu

Teacher of French
MA, BA, Universite de Marne-la-Vallee

Mr Charles Wright

Teacher of French, Teacher of German
BA, Nottingham University

Ms Xiang Yu

Teacher of Mandarin
BA, Shanghai University

Ms Jade Fonteneau

French Language Assistant
MA, Université d’Orléans

Mrs Maria Schofield

Italian Language Assistant

Mrs Hiromi Stevens

Japanese Language Assistant
QTS, Cert Ed, Canterbury Christ Church University