Our department is committed to promoting languages both in school and beyond as an invaluable skill for young people in an increasingly small world.
Teaching and learning focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and activities are aimed at challenging, engaging and motivating learners. We build in opportunities in lessons for learners to develop their confidence, independence and creativity in the language and to adapt and apply language in new and different ways. Links are made to prior learning and a grammatical understanding as to how the language works underpin our approach to language learning in the Faculty. A range of learning activities and styles are incorporated into lessons to meet the needs of all our learners with account taken of individual differences in learning styles, interest and ability to maximise their enjoyment of the subject and overall achievement. Activities offer opportunities for extension to all pupils as well as the more able and creativity and independence in the language are both encouraged and supported in all learners.
Pupils who are allocated French will continue to study this language throughout years 7 and 8.
Throughout Key Stage 3 pupils have opportunities to communicate for a real purpose, express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to language both in speaking and writing. They listen to and read a variety of texts to increase their understanding and become confident in expressing themselves. They also focus on the use of patterns in the foreign language consequently becoming familiar with a range of grammatical structures. Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups.
At KS3 we follow Claro, an interactive approach which enables rapid progress across all skills. It is essential that every learner acquires their own dictionary.
Year 7 Units of Study
1. Unit 1 Myself and my family
2. Unit 2 Where I live
3. Unit 3 School
Pupils are assessed in January and in June on all skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
Year 8 Units of Study
1. Unit 1 Free time
2. Unit 2 Healthy living
3. Unit 3 Holidays
Pupils are assessed in January and in June on all skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
Pupils who embark on studying a language at KS4, follow the AQA GCSE course. We use AQA GCSE Nelson Thornes supported by the Kerboodle on line material. In addition, in preparation for the more rigorous examination, our learners are given a Booklet of Support Activities and Grammar which contains a wide range of materials related to each topic of a specific Theme. It is essential that every learner acquires their own dictionary. Our intention is to offer the best balance of support and encouragement in order to instil in all our learners a desire for success.
Themes:
1. Identity and Culture
2. Local, national, international and global areas of interest
3. Current and future study and employment
| Paper 1 Listening | Paper 2 Speaking | Paper 3 Reading | Paper 4 Writing |
| Examination 25% weighting | Examination 25% weighting | Examination 25% weighting | Examination 25% weighting |
|
Foundation Tier 35 minutes Higher Tier 45 minutes When? End of Year 11 |
Foundation Tier 7 – 9 minutes preparation time Higher Tier 10 – 12 minutes When? End of Year 11 |
Foundation Tier 45 minutes Higher Tier 60 minutes When?End of Year 11 |
Foundation Tier 60 minutes Higher Tier 75 minutes When? End of Year 11 |
|
Section A: questions in English, to be answered in English. Section B: questions in the target language to be answered in the target language |
Role-play Photocard General Conversation |
Section A: questions in English, to be answered in English. Section B: questions in the target language to be answered in the target language. Translation: from target language into English. |
Structured writing task Open-ended writing task Translation: from English into the target language. |
We promote a more independent approach to study by suggesting additional practice from the following websites:
www.memrise.com – helps learning vocabulary. Download the free App.
www.quizlet.com – helps acquiring topic based vocabulary. Download the free App.
www.duolingo.com – develops listening, reading and writing skills. Download the free App. www.voki.com– great for practising listening and pronunciation.
www.languagesonline.org.uk– very good grammar consolidation and topic based vocabulary practice.
www.bbc.co.uk/education– GCSE bitesize to practice exam style questions.
An ability to learn a language will increase your confidence, independence, creativity and resourcefulness. Exploring other cultures broadens your horizons, enhances your understanding of your native culture and promotes cultural diversity. In the 21st century, being able to communicate in a foreign language is an asset, valued by both employers and universities and is an invaluable life-long skill.
The course will build on the linguistic skills you will have gained at GCSE and broaden your social, political, economic and cultural knowledge of the countries where that language is spoken. You will also experience a wider variety of topics relating to contemporary and lifestyle issues which will develop your language skills as you progress through the course. You will be presented with a range of authentic stimuli including film, video clips, music and interactive online resources and have access to listening and reading materials including exam-type questions, supported by vocabulary sheets and grammar activities.
Modern Foreign language degrees, European Language Studies, Linguistic Degrees, Leisure and Tourism, International Politics, Classical Studies.
Minimum grade 6 in GCSE Spanish.
‘La literatura no es otra cosa que un sueño rigido.’
‘Literature is nothing more than a directed dream.’
Jorge Luis Borges
There are also various activities throughout the year, which form part of the languages curriculum to enhance the experience of learning a foreign language and take languages out of the classroom: theatre Productions by visiting Onatti Theatre group in French and Spanish, language-based activities/workshops and our well appreciated French and Spanish breakfast mornings.
Jobs directly related to a languages degree: Interpreter, Teacher, Translator.
Jobs were a languages degree would be useful: English as a Foreign Language Teacher, Sales Manager, Event Organiser, Marketing Executive, Diplomatic services Officer and much more.
Some graduate recruitment programmes that require language skills or which offer the chance to work in other European countries:
Beiersdorf
Beyond Borders Graduate Programme
beiersdorf.co.uk/Careers/Graduate_Programme__THRIVE.html
Cargill European Graduate Programme cargill.com/careers/european-graduate-program
Civil Service – European Fast Stream
http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/the-differentstreams/european
Diageo European Graduate Programme http://bit.ly/1mL4eqH
EasyJet European Graduate Programme http://careers.easyjet.com/graduates
European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/work_with_eu/recruitment/index_en.htm
Goodyear Dunlop European Graduate Programme gdte-career.com/gdc_euen/index.html
Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
gchq-careers.co.uk/job-search/studentsgraduates
Heineken International Graduate
Programme http://www.theheinekencompany.com/careers/graduates
Inter-Continental Hotels ihggraduates.com/europe European Graduate Programme
Reckitt Benckiser rb.com/european-graduate-programme European Graduate Programme
Red Bull European Graduate Programme redbullgraduateprogramme.eu
The Security Service (MI5) mi5.gov.uk
Sony European Graduate Programme sony.co.uk/hub/european-graduate-programme
Telefonica Pan-European Graduate Programme
Skills that can be gained from learning a language can be: Commitment, Interdependence, Seeking and responding to feedback,Noticing, Personal organisation, Making appropriate links and connections, Absorption, Sensitivity to global concerns and Confidence.
Please contact the Head of Spanish Mrs Raluca Szabo
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