Head of Subject: Mrs S. Mainwaring
The importance of speaking more than just one language is ever-increasing. In the Languages Faculty, we encourage students to develop the skills and confidence to communicate and interact with others in a variety of languages as well as supporting students to understand other countries and cultures so that they can be more adaptable to new experiences.
Students beginning in Y7 may be allocated French or German as their first Language. They will continue with this language until the end of Y8 and usually take this for GCSE. In Y8, the majority of students also have the opportunity to pick up a second language in addition to their first. The same curriculum structure is used across both languages. The department also provides cultural and educational visits to France and Germany.
Key Stage 3:
With an initial focus on phonics and confident pronunciation, our year 7 curriculum focuses on development of crucial language skills and grammatical understanding. These are taught through the themes of personal description, school, free time, family life and town. Students revisit and reinforce key language building blocks which will allow them to access the next stage of their curriculum. In year 8, these skills are embedded and broadened to incorporate work in different time frames and using more complex grammatical structures. This is taught through themes such as holidays, celebrations, hobbies and media.
Key Stage 4:
The Pearson Edexcel GCSE in French and German allows students to develop their ability to communicate with native speakers in both speech and writing. They will study across a variety of contexts relevant to their age and interests and will also develop a greater awareness of culture of target language-speaking communities and countries. Students will need to develop and use their knowledge and understanding of grammar progressively through their course of study. To help students build on their range of vocabulary, a list is provided of words that students are expected to use and understand; this is reinforced through online vocabulary practice and tracking.
Pearson Edexcel GCSE French
Pearson Edexcel GCSE German
click here for Key Stage 4 course details and guidance
AQA A-levels in French and German cover the core themes of: Social issues and trends; Political and artistic culture; Grammar; a literary text; a film. The courses enable students to develop their linguistic skills alongside their understanding of the culture and society of the countries where French / German is spoken.
click here for post-16 (sixth form) courses and information