Modern Languages: French, German, Spanish

Modern Languages (French)

Course

Learning a language simultaneously opens one’s mind to new ideas and new ways of looking at the World. Speaking more than one language is a skill, and French in particular, which is spoken and learnt around the world, will radically increase your marketability in the job market and in university applications as well as facilitate your future travel! It fosters a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity.

The A level French course offers an immersion in authentic language and culture, embracing the Francophone world. Alongside developing listening, reading, speaking and grammatical skills introduced at GCSE, pupils will develop techniques for essay and summary writing, translations and an awareness of aspects of society and culture of the Francophone world.

There are four main topic areas for study during the two-year course:

· Aspects of French-Speaking Society: Current Trends (Family, Cyber-society, The Role of Charities and Charity Work)

· Artistic Culture in the French-Speaking World (Cultural Heritage, Music, Cinema)

· Aspects of French-Speaking Society: Current Issues (Benefits of Diverse Multi-Cultural Societies, Life of Marginalised Peoples in Society, How Society Treats Criminals)

· Aspects of Political Life in the French Speaking World (Teenagers and Political Engagement, The Right to Strike, Politics and Immigration)

In addition, we will study one French film (such as Au Revoir les Enfants) and one work of French literature (such as No et Moi). Pupils will also work on an Independent Research Project for the oral exam, which can be a topic of their own choice and is a fantastic opportunity to develop research skills.

Pupils will develop all skills in lessons using teaching and learning materials, which have been produced in consultation with the exam board, along with a wide-range of authentic materials such as internet articles and news reports, magazines and podcasts.

Pupils also benefit from one-to-one speaking lessons with our French Assistant.

Assessment

Paper 1 2hrs 30 minutes Listening, Reading and Writing 50%

Paper 2 2hrs Writing (response to works and grammar)

25% Paper 3 21-23 minutes Speaking Exam 30% Pupils should have achieved GCSE or IGCSE grade 9 to 6. A Modern Language can be combined with, and will complement, any other academic subject.

Examination Board: AQA

Additional Notes

There may be opportunities to visit other countries during the course as we have run trips to Normandie, France throughout the last 10 years. There may also be the opportunity for pupils in the Lower Sixth, who intend to continue with language, to apply for an award to help with a study trip abroad to improve the language and cultural knowledge of the chosen country.

Modern Languages (German)

Course

There are four main topic areas for study during the two year course: the development of German society (environment, education and the world of work), political and artistic culture in German speaking countries (music, media and festivals and traditions), immigration and the German multicultural society and the reunification of Germany. In addition pupils will study one German film and one work of German literature. They will also work on an independent research project which can be a topic of their own choice. They will need to speak about this in the oral exam. Pupils will develop their skills in lessons using teaching and learning materials which have been produced in consultation with the exam board, along with a wide range of other authentic materials such as newspaper and internet articles, radio and TV broadcasts and video clips. Pupils also benefit from one to one speaking lessons with the German assistant.

Assessment

Paper 1 2 hours

Listening, reading and translation (German to English) Paper 2 2hr 40 minutes Written response to works and translation (English to German) Paper 3 21-25 minutes Speaking exam (internally conducted and externally assessed) 40%

30%

30%

Pupils should have achieved GCSE or IGCSE grade 9 to 6. A modern language can be combined with another academic subject

Examination Board: Edexcel

Additional Notes

There may be the opportunity to visit Germany during the course. For example, we have run a successful study visit to Berlin in the past which provided valuable support for the topic of German reunification. There will also be the opportunity for pupils in the Lower Sixth to apply for an award to help with a study trip to a German speaking country in order to improve their knowledge of the language and culture.

Modern Languages (Spanish)

Course

Learning another language opens one's mind to new ideas and new ways of looking at the world. Speaking more than one language is a skill, which is highly valued by universities and employers.

The course builds on the skills gained at GCSE and focusses on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity. Pupils will develop their understanding in lessons using teaching and learning materials, produced in consultation with the exam board, along with a range of other authentic materials such as newspaper and internet articles, radio and TV broadcasts and video clips. Pupils also benefit from one to one speaking lessons with the Spanish assistant.

There are four main topic areas for study during the two year course:

• Aspects of Hispanic Society (modern and traditional values, cyberspace and equal rights) • Artistic culture in the Hispanic world (modern day idols, Spanish regional identity, cultural heritage) • Multiculturalism in Hispanic society (immigration, racism and integration) • Aspects of political life in the Hispanic world (today’s youth, monarchies and dictatorships, popular movements)

In addition, pupils will study one film (Volver by Pedro Alomodóvar) and one text (La Casa de Bernarda Alba by Lorca). They will also work on an independent research project, on a topic of their choice, which they will speak about in their oral exam.

Assessment

Paper 1 2hrs 30 minutes Listening, reading and writing. Translation into English and into Spanish 50%

Paper 2 2hr Written response to text and film

20% Paper 3 21-23 minutes Speaking 30% Pupils should have received a GCSE or IGCSE grade 9 to 6. A modern language can be studied with another academic subject.

Examination Board: AQA

Pupils should have received a GCSE or IGCSE grade 9 to 6. A modern language can be studied with another academic subject.

Additional Notes

There may be an opportunity to visit Spain during the course. We have run numerous study visits to Salamanca. There may also be the opportunity for pupils in the Lower Sixth, who intend to continue with the language, to apply for an award to help with a study trip to a Spanish speaking country in order to improve their knowledge of the language and culture.