Modern Foreign Languages

French/German

Key Stage 3

Aims

We offer all girls the opportunity to study one foreign language for five years, and some will study a second foreign language. Girls will have the option of taking either or both languages to GCSE level in Years 10 & 11 and to ‘A’ level in the Sixth Form.

We hope to develop the ability to make effective practical use of a language and to encourage appreciation of foreign life. In both foreign languages the emphasis is on understanding and then using the language, both orally and in writing, in the context of everyday situations. Girls will also learn how to use a bi-lingual dictionary.

Teaching and learning

All language lessons aim to practise for four skill areas, namely listening, speaking, reading and writing. Teachers adopt a variety of methods for introducing and practising the language to appeal to different learners and maintain interest.

Assessment for learning

Girls are assessed in listening, speaking, reading and writing at regular intervals throughout the year with their final assessment being towards the end of the academic year.

Homework

Girls will be set homework on a regular basis in accordance with the homework timetable. Generally there will be at least one learning and two written homework tasks set each fortnight. A dictionary will be essential throughout your daughter’s career.

Ways in which Parents can help

As parents you can help considerably by taking an interest in the language your daughter learns and encouraging her to practise what she learns by explaining it to you. This does not require any knowledge of the language - your daughter’s textbook and exercise books will give you an idea of what she is studying.

Key Stage 4

Why study languages?

There are many good reasons for continuing with languages, such as making your holidays more enjoyable or to use in your future career. People with language skills are in demand with employers as, even at a basic level, you might be asked to respond to letters from abroad, make telephone calls, or greet foreign visitors.

What will I learn?

The G.C.S.E. course offers something for everyone. The emphasis is on practical communication; to help with this, the foreign language will be used as much as possible in lessons. We also encourage contact with the country whose language you are studying. As well as enjoying your studies, by the end of the course we want you to be successful in the following areas:

• understanding native speakers talking at natural speed

• understanding signs, notices, advertisements, as well as articles written by and for young people

• coping with everyday general conversation and role-plays when speaking the language.

• completing forms, writing formal and informal letters. and diaries.

You will continue to study topics from the National Curriculum but you can learn about holidays, leisure, tourism and the world of work as well as enough grammar to enable you to achieve your best grade. You should choose the language with which you are more successful. Remember that GCSE standards in both French and German are identical.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed in each of the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, all of you will have the chance to complete coursework instead of the writing examination. You will be able to use a dictionary in coursework preparation. Each examination is available at two tiers of difficulty. You and your teacher will decide the best one for you, but you will need to enter for the higher tier in order to achieve a grade B or grade A.

For girls who find the GCSE French course too challenging we offer the Certificate of Educational Achievement, which is assessed entirely upon coursework tests set throughout years 10 and 11.

What career opportunities are available?

In addition to being a valued qualification in itself, G.C.S.E. can lead to A level, which opens up possibilities for university degrees and careers in Journalism, International Business, Law, Civil Service, Teaching, Translating and many more.