Years 7, 8, 9
Students in year 7 begin Modern Foreign Languages with the Year 7 Core Language Learning Skills Course – a series of 6 lessons covering all the core skills. During these lessons they take part in miming, singing, a collective memory task and other activities to help them to develop strategies for effective language learning.
Students will continue with one or two languages (5 months of each) according to aptitude, for the remainder of Year 7. In Year 8 students are able to take part in a daytrip to Le Touquet in France, the French exchange and a role play competition. The exchange is also offered to Year 9 students. From September 2009 Year 9 students have the opportunity to take two languages through to GCSE. We currently have a group of students studying towards a GCSE in French and Spanish.
All our classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards allowing students to actively partake in various learning games and activities. Students studying German use the Logo text and workbooks. In French the text book is Expo and our Spanish students are using Mira. All students have regular independent reading lessons with texts in the target languages and regular lessons in the ICT suites.
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 are regularly assessed using National Curriculum levels in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing The ilanguages NVQ is an exciting new course, currently being offered at the start of Year 10. It is designed to simulate the business world. This course equips students with some very useful work related skills as well as language skills. Please click on the above link to find out more information.
The GCSE Course:
The 2 year GCSE course will help students develop language skills in a variety of contexts and in the 4 skills.
Listening (20%) and Reading (20%) will be assessed at the end of the course and students will be entered for either Foundation or Higher Level (not both).
Speaking (30%) and Writing (30%) assessed tasks will be completed during the 2 years. These tasks will be conducted under supervision at college. Students in German are following the new text book Echo for the GCSE course, while French students use the Métro series. Students have regular opportunities to access ICT packages to allow them to learn independently at their own pace. A Foreign Language Assistant works with GCSE students in small groups to prepare them for their speaking exams. For further details on the AQA course please click on the above link.
Opportunities For The Future
A level, vocational courses, study and work experience abroad. E.U. funding now provides many opportunities. The expanding European Market means an increasing demand for foreign languages at work. Students must now compete in the labour market with young people from other E.U. countries.