Modern Foreign Languages Department

• Introduction
  
• AS and A level French, German and Spanish
  

 

Introduction

The study of Modern Foreign Languages at AS and A level will help students to build on, deepen and broaden the knowledge of the language which they already have, as well as learn about the contemporary society and culture of the countries studied. Other subjects which would go well with Languages are English Literature, Geography, History and Business Studies.

Grades A*, A or B in the GCSE examination are normally a requirement for the study of a language at A Level. However, experience has shown that students with grades lower than an ‘A’ may find the course difficult.

AS and A Level Modern Foreign Languages:
French, German and Spanish

Languages are taught in a lively and communicative way with emphasis placed on pupils understanding the spoken and written target language and expressing themselves confidently both orally and in writing. In the first term, grammar covered at GCSE is revised and consolidated so that pupils use the language creatively and accurately. A wide variety of resources is used, including audio and video resources from the Internet. The four language-based classrooms are each equipped with an interactive white board and pupils are also given the opportunity to develop their language skills in the Computer Room. We have satellite television and make full use of programmes in the target language such as the weekly news. Most teaching is conducted in the target language but English is used for the explanation of grammar points and for clarification. We are fortunate to have French, Spanish and German assistants who help pupils prepare for their oral examinations.

We encourage students to spend as much time in the target language country as possible. We have a long-running German exchange with a school in Duisburg, and for the last few years have organised Sixth Form work experience for French A level students in Lille and Nice. Spanish students have also enjoyed linguistic and cultural trips to Andalucia.

In the Lower Sixth the topics covered are:-

• Aspects of Daily Life: the family, structures and relationships, living conditions, housing, shopping, daily life, food, drink, health and transport;
• Leisure and Entertainment: sport, tourism, leisure and culture, communication, media and technology;
• Education and Training: school, work experience and work.

The AS exams comprise:

• Oral exam (15 minutes) comprising of Role-play and Discussion (30% AS level and 15% A level)
• Listening, Reading and Writing (2 hrs 15 minutes) (70% AS level and 35% A level). There is also reading and listening comprehension tasks and a summary in the target language.

In the second year of A level the topics covered are:-

• Society: integration and exclusion, law and order, unemployment; Environment: recycling, energy, pollution, conservation;
• Science and Technology: medical progress, scientific advances, technological development;
• Culture: literature and the Arts, political changes, heritage and history.

The A2 exams comprise:

• Oral exam (15 minutes) (15% of A Level) which comprises of discussion of text and conversation on topic of candidate’s choice,
• Reading Listening and Writing (2 hrs 45 minutes) (35% of A Level) Reading and listening comprehension tasks and extended essay in target language.

Higher Education and Career Opportunities

Students thinking of studying Modern Languages at university are strongly encouraged to study more than one language at A Level. In addition, students who choose to read for a degree in subjects which are not directly related to languages are now being asked to resume or take up a foreign language. Success in languages helps prepare students for a wide range of careers ranging from translating, international banking, business and commerce to teaching, travel and tourism, public relations, hotel management and publishing. Increasingly, however, those pursuing Science-related degrees are finding that their career paths are widened and enhanced by a language qualification.

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