Louise Lightfoot

My name is Ms. Lightfoot, and I’m originally from Manchester, in the North West of England. I’ve been teaching French and Spanish at GEMS Metropole for the past ten years, and I’m excited to be continuing this journey as Head of the MFL department.

I hold an Honours Degree in French and Business Studies from the University of Bolton, which included time spent studying and working in Le Mans, France—best known for the 24 Heures du Mans car race. I later completed my PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages and Applied Teaching at Edge Hill University.

Before moving to Dubai, I spent 20 years teaching in a range of schools across the North West of England. During that time,

I held roles as Head of Modern Foreign Languages and Head of Careers and Vocational Education, gaining extensive experience in both academic teaching and student pastoral care. I strongly believe that students today need a global outlook to thrive in tomorrow’s job market. Learning languages not only opens doors to international opportunities but also helps students understand different cultures and develop essential communication skills. It’s a privilege to support young people in gaining those tools.

Beyond the classroom, I’m passionate about enriching students’ school experience through extra-curricular activities. I’ve been involved in school productions, music events, crochet club, and I’ve led the Student Kenya Expedition twice. I truly enjoy creating opportunities for students to grow beyond academics.

In my own time, I enjoy food, travel, sports, scuba diving, and music. I’m a big fan of live performances and love discovering different music genres.

As Head of Modern Foreign Languages, I’m looking forward to the year ahead—collaborating with the MFL team at MTS and providing students with meaningful and engaging language learning experiences both in and out of the classroom.