Modern Foreign Languages

Welcome

The Modern languages department offers both French and German to all pupils at all levels of ability. We have three full-time staff, who all teach both French and German. All pupils  learn a foreign language in year 7.  The same language is taught to the whole year group across the key stage. The starting language alternates from year to year. The 2010/11 intake will learn French.
The department is well equipped with 3 designated teaching rooms and a computer suite, comprising of 30 machines,  to which all pupils have regular time-tabled access.
The department also enjoys taking pupils on foreign trips and have had regular trips to the Rhineland and to Le Touquet. These trips are usually very popular and allow pupils to put their linguistic skills to the test on a short study trip.

KS3 Information

Pupils studying French use the coursebook Metro, in Years 7,8 & 9. The  course covers topics such as family, school, hobbies, sports, free time and holidays. The department is well resourced with support material, which includes interactive whiteboard presentation programmes and computer based resources for independent learning.
Pupils studying German use the coursebook Logo, which covers similar topics and also deals with subjects such as the environment and the Media.
Languages learning is also enhanced by the use of numerous web-based languages sites and by generic games software; all of which helps to make the learning experience an enjoyable one.

KS4 Information

Pupils can opt for either German or French at KS4. The course follows a modular approach and covers the examination syllabus (Edexcel) in topic areas, which consist of the following topic areas;
1.    Out and About
2.    Customer services and transactions
3.    Personal information
4.    Future Plans, education and work.

The course contains the 4 elements of Listening (20%) Speaking(30%) Reading(20%) and Writing(30%). The speaking and writing sections are assessed throughout the course and the listening and reading are assessed at the end of the course.

Next Steps

Languages at A/AS level are offered at most of our local post-16 providers. Many employers view  a qualification in Languages as proof of  adaptability, flexibility and an open mind- all of which are pre-requisites in today’s ever changing employment market.