Aims 

Learning a language is a vital skill in an ever-increasing global job market.  The courses we offer concentrate on developing students' ability to understand and communicate effectively in everyday situations, which might be encountered in the countries where these languages are spoken, as well as learning about the cultures of those countries.   

Approach 

Students will follow a course which is designed to meet students’ individual needs, to encourage enjoyment and to stimulate interest. The course builds upon the work they have covered in KS3 and students will be expected to be involved in a range of activities including listening, speaking, reading and writing.  There will be the opportunity to work in pairs, groups and individually and access will be given to interactive ICT resources throughout the course.   

Topics 

The topics are relevant to the present and future needs of the student.  They provide the contexts and purposes for which the student learns to understand and use the language.  There are 6 broad contexts for learning and assessment: my personal world; lifestyle and well-being; my neighbourhood; media and technology; studying and my future; travel and tourism. 

These contexts enable the students to communicate about themselves, their families, the area in which they live, school, hobbies and holidays.  Students will also explore wider issues such as environmental problems and solutions, equality, and mental well-being. 

Assessment  

The four skills of Listening (25%), Reading (25%), Speaking (25%), and Writing (25%) are all tested.  All areas are assessed by external examination (although internal assessment takes place on a regular basis).  Within each of these skills there are two tiers - Foundation (Grades 5 – 1) and Higher (Grades 9 – 4).  Students will be entered for Higher or Foundation in all skills. Speaking exams are conducted by class teachers at around Easter of Y11 and will consist of reading aloud a short passage, a role play, describing a picture and questions on the topic areas. Listening and reading will contain questions in English or be multiple choice, whilst writing comprises a short translation into French as well as writing on 2 topic areas. 

Further Education and Career Opportunities 

The course we offer will not only be useful to students when they go on holiday or travel through a country but will also enable them to develop skills for life.  Knowledge of a Modern Foreign Language gives students a definite advantage over others in the job market in both this country and abroad.  Following their studies in KS4, students may continue their language learning in other institutions through a variety of courses.  There are a growing number of Modern Language courses available at an evening class and beyond e.g. in University, which offer a “Year in Europe” as part of a degree course.  The opportunities are enormous and extremely rewarding.