Languages
BackKey Stage 4
GCSE French
Awarding Body: AQA
Subject Contact: Ms S Brett
Course Outline
Students are expected to understand and provide information and opinions about the themes below:
Theme 1: People and Lifestyle
- Identity and relationships with others
- Healthy living and lifestyle
- Education and work
Theme 2: Popular Culture
- Free time activities
- Customs, festivals and celebrations
- Celebrity culture
Theme 3: Communication and the world around us
- Travel and tourism, including places of interest
- Media and technology
- The environment and where people live
Students will be able to listen, understand and respond to spoken language, communicate and interact in French, read, understand and respond to written language and communicate in writing, showing knowledge and understanding of a range of vocabulary and grammar.
Assessment
There are four exams at the end of the course in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Each is worth 25% of overall grade. You are entered for the same tier, Foundation or Higher, for all four papers:
Paper 1 - Listening
Listening comprehension with questions and answers in English and dictation written in French.
Paper 2 - Speaking
A role play, reading aloud and photocard discussion as well as general questions on the topics covered.
Paper 3 - Reading
Listening comprehension with questions and answers in English as well as a translation from French into English.
Paper 4 - Writing
Foundation: Photocard description (5 sentences), 50-word writing task, Grammar questions (5), translation (English into French) and 90-word writing task.
Higher: Translation (English into French), 90-word writing task, 150-word writing task.
Career Progression
Studying French for GCSE is the first step towards a rewarding, successful and global career. In today’s international job market, employers value cultural understanding and communication skills in different languages to connect with overseas clients and partners. Whether in business, tourism, law or science, being multilingual can set you apart from the competition.
GCSE Spanish
Awarding Body: AQA
Subject Contact: Mrs P Gonzalez
Course Outline
Students are expected to understand and provide information and opinions about the themes below:
Theme 1: People and Lifestyle
- Identity and relationships with others
- Healthy living and lifestyle
- Education and work
Theme 2: Popular Culture
- Free time activities
- Customs, festivals and celebrations
- Celebrity culture
Theme 3: Communication and the world around us
- Travel and tourism, including places of interest
- Media and technology
- The environment and where people live
Students will be able to listen, understand and respond to spoken language, communicate and interact in Spanish, read, understand and respond to written language and communicate in writing, showing knowledge and understanding of a range of vocabulary and grammar.
Assessment
There are four exams at the end of the course in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Each is worth 25% of overall grade. You are entered for the same tier, Foundation or Higher, for all four papers:
Paper 1 - Listening
Listening comprehension with questions and answers in English and dictation written in Spanish.
Paper 2 - Speaking
A role play, reading aloud and photocard discussion as well as general questions on the topics covered.
Paper 3m- Reading
Listening comprehension with questions and answers in English as well as a translation from Spanish into English.
Paper 4 - Writing
Foundation: Photocard description (5 sentences), 50-word writing task, Grammar questions (5), translation (English into Spanish) and 90-word writing task.
Higher: Translation (English into Spanish), 90-word writing task, 150-word writing task.
Career Progression
Studying Spanish for GCSE is the first step towards a rewarding, successful and global career. In today’s international job market, employers value cultural understanding and communication skills in different languages to connect with overseas clients and partners. Whether in business, tourism, law or science, being multilingual can set you apart from the competition. Languages also develop problem-solving and adaptability - skills that are highly sought after by employers.
Key Stage 5
French A Level
Course Content
- Social Issues & Trends
- Political & Artistic Culture
- Grammar
- Literary Text & Film
Learning Methods and Assessment
A variety of teaching methods are used in the Sixth Form, including studying texts and topic areas, listening to and reading authentic materials and undertaking independent research.
Greater accuracy is required in written French at A level and therefore grammar is taught in greater depth so that students can gain confidence in writing essays accurately and speaking fluently. Students work towards oral fluency through discussions in class.
Paper 1 Listening, reading & writing exam 50% of A level
All questions are in French. Listening and responding to spoken texts, reading and responding to a variety of texts, translation into English, translation into French.
- Aspects of French-speaking society
- Artistic culture in the French speaking world
- Multiculturalism in French speaking society
- Aspects of political life in French-speaking society
Paper 2 Writing exam 20% of A level:
One essay on a set text and one essay on the film ‘La Haine’.
Paper 3 Speaking exam 30% of A level
Discussion of a sub-theme based on a stimulus card, plus presentation and discussion of a research topic chosen by the student.
Expectations of Students
Enthusiasm and commitment are essential during this challenging and enjoyable course. Students must be up-to-date with current social issues and willing to complete extra reading and listening in their own time. Thorough preparation of text work is expected and work must be handed in on time.
An interest in current affairs is essential in order to be able to discuss and write about the topics studied such as the changing nature of the family, “cyber-society”, voluntary work, positive features of a diverse society, life for the marginalised and how criminals are treated.
Careers Prospects
A language qualification is increasingly valuable in every area of work. Every subject can be combined with a language at University level, there are increased opportunities to study and work abroad and language graduates are highly sought after by employers.
Awarding Body: AQA
Entry Requirements
Grade 6 or above in GCSE French. APS 5+
Spanish A Level
Course Content
We follow the AQA syllabus (7692). The A-level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. The content is divided into four areas of interest:
- Aspects of Hispanic society
- Artistic culture in the Hispanic world
- Multiculturalism in Hispanic society
- Aspects of political life in Hispanic society.
The approach is a focus on how Spanish-speaking society has been shaped socially and culturally and how it continues to change. In the first year, aspects of the social context are studied, together with aspects of the artistic life of Spanish-speaking countries. In the second year further aspects of the social background are covered, this time focusing on matters associated with multiculturalism. Students also study aspects of the political landscape including the future of political life in the Hispanic world by focusing on young people and their political engagement.
Although we follow the OUP textbooks and have the Kerboodle online resource, the A-Level course is based on current affairs, and therefore we work with present-day news, videos, documentaries, interviews or any document that can enhance the topics we are covering. This ensures an up to date, very rich and enjoyable curriculum.
During the first term of the A Level course, we dedicate a lot of attention to grammar. The grammar at A Level is considerably more demanding than in previous years which is the reason why we put an emphasis on it in the early stages.
We will also be studying a film and a book. The film that we have chosen is Volver and the book is La Casa de Bernarda Alba
Finally, each student will be researching a topic of their choice, but related to the subject, in preparation for the A Level speaking exam. This topic is chosen in agreement with the subject teacher
Learning Methods and Assessment
Students will be tested at the end of each unit and at the end of each term. We will cover six units at the end of each year.
The A Level exam consists of 3 papers:
- Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing - 2 hours 30 minutes long. It is 50% of the final grade
- Paper 2: Writing - 2 hours long, with 80 marks in total and 20% of the final grade
- Paper 3: Speaking - 21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation time). 30% of the final grade, with 60 marks in total
Expectations of Students
Students must attend all lessons and if absence is unavoidable, they must catch up on missed work. They are expected to have their current topic notes for each lesson. They should actively participate in lessons and keep good notes of any new items. They are expected to complete all homework tasks and to dedicate extra hours to additional independent research and practice.
Careers Prospects
Language skills alone are already an advantage in potential employers’ eyes, but Spanish even more so, as it’s so widely spoken.
Many British and American companies conduct business in Spanish-speaking countries.
You may study Spanish because you are passionate about the culture – or you may see it as adding value to a business, finance or science-related subject.
Awarding Body: AQA
Entry Requirements
Grade 6 or above in GCSE Spanish. APS 5+