Modern Foreign Languages
EXAM BOARD: WJEC
HEAD OF FRENCH: Mr Darron
HEAD OF GERMAN: Mrs Murphy
STAFF: Mrs Connell, Ms Duffy, Mrs Lapping, Mrs Roome, Miss Tacardon, Miss Thompson, Mr Karran
French and/or German: these courses build on the work already done in Years 7 to 9.
The course has 4 units. Two are assessed in examinations in the final year of study. The other two units are completed as non-examination assessments in the classroom, also in the final year of study. You will learn useful language that you could use in situations relating to leisure and wellbeing, travel and study or work.
Why choose a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE?
The study of a modern foreign language will broaden your horizons, develop cultural knowledge and understanding and foster transferable skills such as confidence, communication, problem solving and creativity.
A GCSE in a modern foreign language will also provide you with a solid foundation for future language study.
A GCSE in a Modern Foreign Language will enable you to:
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Develop your ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and writing.
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Express and develop thoughts and ideas spontaneously and fluently.
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Listen to and understand clearly articulated, standard speech.
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Deepen your knowledge about how language works and enrich your vocabulary in order for you to increase your independent use and understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts.
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Acquire new knowledge, skills and ways of thinking through the ability to understand and respond to a rich range of authentic spoken and written material, including literary texts.
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Develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities where the language is spoken.
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Be encouraged to make appropriate links to other areas of the curriculum to enable bilingual and deeper learning.
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Develop language learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare for further language study and use in school, higher education or in employment.
Pathways:
Translating
Teaching
Journalism
Marketing
Sales/Logistics
International aid
Written tasks and vocabulary-learning homework are set on a weekly basis. A dictionary is essential to foster independent learning and all students should have one by the start of Year 10. Students will be expected to learn vocabulary and phrases regularly. We are also able to provide access to www.thisislanguage.com and Linguascope (subscription websites) which students can access from home to assist with their learning. T
We try to encourage as many students as possible to carry on with both French and German, as universities look very favourably upon success in languages at GCSE. Our aim is to equip students with language skills at least equivalent to those of students of the same age in other European countries.
ASSESSMENT:
UNIT 1: ORACY
Non-examination assessment of speaking and listening, conducted by the teacher.
Students will read aloud a short sentence to show understanding of French/German pronunciation, followed by a role play. Students will then give a short 1 minute presentation (prepared in advance) and discuss the presentation with the teacher. Students will then take part in a conversation with the teacher.
30%
UNIT 2: READING & WRITING
Non-examination assessment completed in the classroom.
Students will work with classmates to study a short work in French/German (either a graphic novel, short story, film script, or novel) before writing a written response (up to 200 words) in French/German about the piece studied.
15%
UNIT 3: LISTENING
Written examination.
Students will listen to a range of French/German speakers and will demonstrate understanding of what they have heard (for example, by answering multiple choice questions in English).
20%
UNIT 4: READING & WRITING
Written examination.
​Students will read texts in French/German and answer questions on them in English. Students will also complete a translation from French/German into English. Students will then demonstrate written language skills by writing up to 120 words in French/German from a choice of 3 questions.
35%