Modern Languages

The department aims to provide students with the opportunity to become confident speakers of modern languages, preparing students for an increasingly multi-lingual world. Students are encouraged to develop independence in their language learning and are assessed through the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The students acquire key intercultural understanding throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 which gives them the skills to appreciate different countries, cultures, peoples and communities where the target languages are spoken.

Learning outcomes

• Key Stage 3 all students are given the opportunity to study both French and Spanish. There are a range of different topics offered including: family and relationships, house and home, school, the local area, food and drink, fashion, and health.
• Key Stage 4 students build on what they have studied in Key Stage 3 and they are able to study topics in more detail, using a greater depth of language complexity. Topics include: the environment, work and education, healthy living, leisure, holidays and world and social issues.
• GCSE level, Year 11 students must complete Controlled Assessment tasks in writing and speaking (weighted at 30% each). Students must submit two tasks for the aforementioned skills (weighted at 15% each). Controlled Assessment tasks occur at specific points of the two-year course. The final 40% of the course is a listening and reading exam, (weighted at 20% each) and these are taken at the end of Year 11. 
• New GCSE, Year 10 have started the new GCSE, the first examination will take place in 2018. The themes include: identity and culture, local area, holiday and travel, school, future aspirations,study and work and international and global dimension. Students will be assessed on the four skills in one final exam at the end of year 11, which will include a translation from french to english or english to french.

Teaching methods

The department uses a range of different teaching methods including state of the art interactive whiteboards, ICT suites, digital voice recorders and mini whiteboards to assess students progress. These all cater to a variety of learning styles and students individual needs.

Teachers ensure the activities in the classroom are challenging and purposeful. Teachers also use modelling, questioning, group work and active engagement techniques as well as making sure students are resilient and resourceful enough to deal with unexpected and unpredictable language elements.

Additional activities

Throughout the year there are extra-curricular opportunities through lunch time for revision and speaking practice. There is a French Clinic for Year 10 & 11, Wednesday lunchtime and Thursday lunchtime. We run a French residential trip for Year 7, and for Year 10 we have the opportunity to stay for a week with a family in France or Spain, providing students with more ways of using the language for real life situations.

Course Maps

Please see attachments below