Kate Furness

“My name is Kate Furness and I am the Head of Modern Foreign Languages here at GFS.  We are very proud to offer a world class Primary French programme in Years 5 and 6 where students are prepared to enter the DELF-Prim exam, which is validated by the French government.  All of our students have the opportunity to learn both French and Spanish at Key Stage 3, and can then continue these languages as an option for IGCSE and A-Level.  We also encourage students to prepare for a qualification in their Heritage Language, and we value the linguistic diversity in our student population.

I grew up in Cork, in the south of Ireland, and studied Applied Languages, Translation with Interpreting at Dublin City University with a double major in French and Spanish.  As part of my studies I completed an Erasmus year at the University of Oviedo in Spain, where I completed an undergraduate thesis on Childhood Bilingualism.  I went on to complete a PGCE in the University of Hull, and am currently studying for an MA in Educational Leadership and Management with the University of Keele.  I have taught a range of languages at wonderful schools in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Spain, Brazil and I am very excited to begin learning Arabic here in Dubai.”