GCSE
All pupils are required to study at least one modern foreign language in Years 10 and 11 and we hope that many pupils will choose to study two.
Spanish will be offered as a second language GCSE to those students who have studied it in Year 9 after school. It will be a slightly more intensive course but pupils will have had the opportunity to learn the basics during their extra sessions.
German will also be offered as a second language in addition to French to those pupils wishing to study it and have achieved at least a level 6a in French.
The courses will promote a sound working knowledge of the language and of cultural backgrounds and will prepare students for the GCSE exam in their chosen language.
Assessment structure:
All pupils will follow the new AQA course.
French 4655, Modules 46551/2/3/4:
German 4665, Modules 46651/2/3/4:
The skills tested are Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
In Listening and Reading there are 2 tiers of assessment – Foundation(C-G) and Higher(A* - D). Students may be entered for either tier in each skill.
Speaking and Writing are untiered and differentiated by outcome, not by task.
Routes for progression:
The ability to speak foreign languages is becoming very important to school leavers as employers are increasingly looking for evidence of communication skills. The ability to communicate in one or more foreign languages is often used as a discriminating factor when making new appointments. It is obviously important for those pupils hoping to use it in a specialist career such as language, reading, interpreting and translating, but within the European Union many diverse industries such as law, journalism, business manufacturing, tourism, publishing or personnel, are seeking staff who have a working knowledge of at least one other language and preferably more than one. It is clearly a valuable skill for all young people today as well as a very worthwhile and enjoyable course to study.
Detail about the course itself:
The students will be studying a newly launched specification and covers the following topics in the 4 skill areas:
Health
Relationships and Choices
Free time and The Media
Holidays
Home and Local area
Environment
School, College and Future Plans
Current and Future Jobs
The course aims to encourage students to derive enjoyment and benefit from language learning, be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile syllabus. It hopes to enable students to recognise that their linguistic knowledge, understanding and skills help them to take their place in a multilingual global society and also provide them with a suitable basis for further study.
SKILL | EXAM FORMAT | WEIGHTING AND DURATION OF TEST |
| Listening | A range of question types based on pre-recorded spoken material in the target language. (External) | 20% Foundation - 30 min + 5 mins reading time Higher - 40 mins+5 mins reading time |
| Reading | A range of question types based on a range of written material in the target language. (External) | 20% Foundation - 30 mins Higher - 40 mins |
| Speaking | Students submit two spoken tasks for moderation. (Internal) | 30% |
| Writing | Students submit two written tasks. (External) | 30% |
FCSE
We also offer a new course as an alternative to GCSE for our lower ability groups in French. Students will be advised by their language teacher as to whether they should take this modular exam or the GCSE exam. The FCSE is aimed at those students who struggle with the demands of a GCSE and a summative assessment. It is a recognised qualification and three levels of award are available – Pass, Merit and Distinction.
AS and A2 Level
French
Specifications:
AS OCR F701, F702
A2 OCR F703, F704
Entry Requirements:
GCSE grade A* or A (students who obtain a grade B may be accepted, subject to discussion).
The AS and A2 level courses enhance the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills developed for GCSE but the topics are more interesting and are studied at a more mature level. Work is conducted in small groups and students are encouraged to communicate their own ideas in the foreign language and to critically examine the views of others. The materials studied will be taken from radio, satellite television, newspapers and magazines as well as a small amount from fiction.
The A-level qualification will prepare students for university and college entrance and for a wide range of careers. Mastery of a foreign language is required for such areas as translating and interpreting (EEC, UN, BBC, Civil Service), the diplomatic service or European business and marketing. It proves valuable when combined with other skills such as import and export, travel and tourism, custom and excise, business, advertising, insurance, law, accountancy, banking or journalism. The list is endless; we are part of the European Community and the ability to communicate effectively with our fellow members will be an invaluable asset to employers and job seekers alike. More and more the ability to operate in a foreign language is a deciding factor in the job market
GERMAN
Specifications:
AS OCR F711, F712
A2 OCR F713, F714
Entry Requirements:
GCSE grade A* or A (students who obtain a grade B may be accepted, subject to discussion).
The AS and A2 level courses enhance the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills developed for GCSE but the topics are more interesting and are studied at a more mature level. Work is conducted in small groups and students are encouraged to communicate their own ideas in the foreign language and to critically examine the views of others. The materials studied will be taken from radio, satellite television, newspapers and magazines as well as a small amount from fiction.
The A-level qualification will prepare students for university and college entrance and for a wide range of careers. Mastery of a foreign language is required for such areas as translating and interpreting (EEC, UN, BBC, Civil Service), the diplomatic service or European business and marketing. It proves valuable when combined with other skills such as import and export, travel and tourism, custom and excise, business, advertising, insurance, law, accountancy, banking or journalism. The list is endless; we are part of the European Community and the ability to communicate effectively with our fellow members will be an invaluable asset to employers and job seekers alike. More and more the ability to operate in a foreign language is a deciding factor in the job market.
MFL Staff
Mrs E Keegan (Head of French)
Mrs A Dixon
Mrs G Bolland (French Assistant)
Mrs J Flynn (Head of German)
Mrs J Pailing
Mrs G Buffey (German Assistant)
Mr G Rice