Modern Foreign Languages: French, Spanish and German

EDEXCEL: FRENCH, SPANISH AND GERMAN INTRODUCTION CORE SUBJECT

By the end of Year 9, most students have been studying French, Spanish and German (for some) for three or more years. All current Year 9 students will be required to take at least one Modern Foreign Language to IGCSE level from French, Spanish and German or a combination of the three. The more languages a student is able to speak, the more prepared she or he is for their future prosperity and global standing. Studying languages increases creativity, problem solving skills and cultural awareness.

However, the choice of which language to continue at GCSE must be based on existing performance and a realistic view of future potential, the French, Spanish and German teachers will provide advice and support when making this choice. All students in Year 9 will be assessed in four skills. This will give students a strong indication regarding their ability and an opportunity to compare their language skills.

COURSE CONTENT FOR EDEXCEL IGCSE COURSE

UNIT ASSESSMENT DURATION WEIGHTING

Paper 1: Listening (Externally assessed) 50 marks 45 minutes 25%

Paper 2: Reading and Writing (Externally assessed) 60 marks

Paper 3: Speaking (Externally assessed) 40 marks 1 hour 45 minutes

Maximum of 10 minutes 50%

25%

TOPICS AND GRAMMAR

Home and abroad

Education and employment House, home and daily routines The modern world and the environment

Social activities, fitness and health. Present tense Past tense Future tense Near future tense Conditional tense Present perfect tense.

TRIPS

Year 10 students will have the opportunity to participate in an exchange programme with either a school from Montpellier in France or Zaragoza in Spain. This is a great opportunity for the students to forge a continuous link with a foreign student and to enrich their study of languages. Years 10 and 11 visit the Institutes and Cinemas of the respective languages.

BEYOND GCSE

In an increasingly globalised world, the ability to demonstrate competence in a foreign language is a valuable asset. The Department offers French, Spanish and German at A level, and many degree courses across a spectrum of subjects may include one or more foreign languages. Some universities will even request a language GCSE as an entrance requirement for some courses (e.g. UCL). 9