Modern Foreign Language Department
| Information | Key Stage 3 | Homework | Pictures (soon) |
| Staffing | Key Stage 4 | Links | Student work (soon) |
MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
FRENCH, GERMAN AND SPANISH
Staff responsible: Mr P Morgan
Introduction
Students may opt to study either one or two languages at GCSE level.
What are my language choices?
We are able to offer three Modern Foreign Languages at Key Stage 4 - French,
Spanish and German - you may be able to choose one or two of these.
You could even choose a language you have not studied. You can discuss this at
your options interview.
Lower grades in languages in KS3!!
Why might my language grades in KS3 be lower than my other subject grades?
No need to worry – you have only been studying languages for just over two years. You can get to higher levels by the end of Year 9 and then high grades are possible in GCSE’s as you will have studied the language for 5 years.
Should I choose a foreign language?
There are many ways you can benefit from continuing with your foreign
language work.
The aims of a GCSE in a foreign language are to:
- develop the ability to use language for purposes of practical communication – skills you have already been working on in KS3.
- develop the ability to use language creatively and imaginatively – already underway in KS3 and one of the most enjoyable areas for a lot of students.
- develop an awareness of the nature of language – for example, think of all the grammar work you have already covered – this will be revised and then developed in KS4.
- develop the skills for further study, work and leisure – we live in a global community where the ability to communicate in a foreign language will be more and more highly prized and more and more opportunities will be on offer to you in the future if you have a foreign language qualification.
- promote general learning skills – think how well your listening, speaking, reading and writing can develop, with this focus in the foreign language. Your English grammar may be helped as well!
- develop cultural awareness – learn more about all those different lifestyles that you may then be able to experience yourself one day.
- provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation – challenges, games, role-plays ………
Qualifications available: GCSE
Course content
Currently, we are in the fortunate position to offer three modern languages for GCSE.
In a Europe that is faster becoming a smaller place, access to languages enables youngsters to opt for work placements, a change in career focus and just enhanced holiday enjoyment; each language offers its own attraction and appeal and may be chosen be students for a variety of reasons; for example:
FRENCH - As our nearest European neighbour, France is one of the most popular tourist destinations and an increasing number of British people opt to buy a second home in France. By learning French, the students are able to experience the culture and every day life of French people through our very popular school exchange with France. Studying French provides also an insight into the culture of other French speaking countries such as Canada and much of Africa.
GERMAN - has become the second most commonly used business language in Europe; it is now the most widely spoken language in Europe and many of the East European markets are still accessible through German. Young people who have an interest in engineering, technology or science will find that there is an increasing demand for qualifications which include some form of understanding or knowledge of German.
SPANISH - Each year millions of British tourists visit Spain and it has also become a popular country to retire to. Our GCSE course is based upon practical language, which might come in useful when visiting Spain or the Canaries and help making a holiday even more enjoyable. There are also millions of people in Central and South America who are Spanish speaking and learning their language will enable young people to access different cultures and life styles. Large areas of North America are now also bilingual with large Spanish speaking communities.
On a more general level, Britain needs linguists to strengthen business links with countries all around the world. Currently, British trade suffers because we do not have sufficient numbers of translators, interpreters or business people who can open up new business opportunities beyond our own shores.
How students will learn
- Within the aims of the course students are expected to demonstrate an ability to:
- understand and respond to spoken language
- communicate in speech
- understand and respond to written language
- communicate in writing
- apply accurately the grammar and structures
These are the skills of language - learning, with which the students should already be familiar. For the most part students are expected to express themselves and respond in the target language.
How students will be assessed
Assessment is at either Foundation (grades G - C) or Higher Tier (grades D - A*). Candidates may be entered for either tier in each skill. Assessment of Listening, Reading and Speaking will be during the examination period of Year 11, whilst Writing will be assessed by a coursework option over the two years of the GCSE course.
|
FOUNDATION |
HIGHER |
Listening |
30 minutes + 5 minutes reading time, short answers. |
40 minutes + 5 minutes reading time, mainly short, some longer answers. |
Writing |
3 pieces of coursework over years 10 and 11 (one of which has to be produced under controlled conditions) |
|
Reading |
30 minutes, short answers |
50 minutes, mainly short, some longer answers |
Speaking |
8 - 10 minutes: · a role play · a presentation/discussion · a conversation |
10 - 12 minutes. Same structure as Foundation with
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