Modern Foreign Languages

Our language teachers are proud of the consistently high levels of achievement our students accomplish.

Key Stage 3

In Year 7, tutor groups ABCD study French and EFGH study Spanish.
In Year 8, the top two sets study a second Language while sets 3 and 4 continue with their first language.
In Year 7, all students receive three hours of language a week.
In Year 8, students study each language for two hours, so they have either 2 or 4 hours of language learning depending on their set.
We aim to provide all students with a thorough grounding in all four skill areas: listening, reading, speaking and writing and develop their appreciation of the cultures and customs of French and/or Spanish speaking countries.

GCSE

Students can opt to study either French and/or Spanish at GCSE following the AQA course. As some universities require students to have a language GCSE at grade C or above, those intending to carry on into Higher Education are encouraged to continue with at least one language to give them access to all courses available in their chosen field.

 

The languages courses cover 4 topic areas:

• Lifestyle including Health and Relationships & Choices
• Leisure including Freetime & Media and Holidays
• Home and Environment including Home & Local area and Environment
• Work and Education including School/College & Future Plans and Current & Future Jobs

 

Assessment of the GCSE includes both controlled assessment in speaking and writing and end of course examinations in listening and reading.

Examination

Students sit two examinations at the end of the course in year 11, one in listening and one in reading. Each exam accounts for 20% of the final mark.