• 2011_header_10

Courses

Year 7

All students in Year 7 study French for four lessons per week.  This is so that everybody has a good grounding in one foreign language and can use the principles learnt to begin with a second language in Year 8.

By the end of the year you will have covered a lot of topics and will be confident to talk about yourself, your family, your hobbies and school amongst other things.  You will also learn about grammar- this will help you with English as well as other foreign languages.

Years 8 and 9

In Years 8 and 9 all students study French for two lessons and Spanish for two lessons.  In French they will continue to develop the language skills acquired in Year 7.  Spanish is an express course and takes into consideration work done on language learning in Year 7.  By the end of Year 9 we hope that all students will feel confident in both languages.

Years 10 and 11

All pupils must study either French or Spanish at GCSE.  We use WJEC and as with all examination boards in England, students will sit exams in Reading and Listening and will complete Controlled Assessment for Speaking and Writing.

Years 12 and 13

We currently offer A-levels in French, German and Spanish and a good number of students choose to study these subjects.  A language goes well with any other subject and provides a skill which many employers look for.

Students who speak a language other than English at home are encouraged to sit public examinations in that language.  In past years we have entered students for Polish, Mandarin Chinese, Afrikaans and Arabic.  Any student  who would like to take an exam in another language should see the Head of Department to discuss the exam requirements.

Foreign Language Assistants

Each year we welcome assistants from French and Spanish speaking countries.  They mainly work with sixth form students to help them develop their spoken language but we also like them to work with younger students in the school.

They run clubs at lunchtime which allow Key Stage 3 students the chance to develop their language skills as well as learning about the culture of the respective countries.

Trips and Visits

As a department we recognise the importance of learning outside of the classroom and as such aim to provide a number of trips and visits throughout the year.  Whilst the trips offered are subject to change, some possible trips are:

A residential visit to a chateau in Normandy

A day visit to the Christmas Market in Lille

GCSE and A-level revision courses in London

A day trip to the Opal Coast in Northern France