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Curriculum
Our aim is to inspire our students with a deep understanding and love of languages and their importance in a globalised world. This will result in a thirst for learning and outstanding outcomes for our learners.
All students throughout Key Stage 3 will study a foreign language, accessing four hours over a fortnight over three years. Year 7 study French, German or Spanish. They will then continue with this language until Year 9. Students will recognise the importance of learning a language and will develop their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills. Students will increase their knowledge of sound spelling links, grammar and language patterns through the study of topics. At the end of Year 9, all students can take the decision to continue the language as a GCSE course, with this being a requirement of those on Core Plus pathway.
Students begin their GCSE language course with five lessons over a two week period. They will complete the AQA GCSE French, German or Spanish qualification, tested in the 4 skill areas of listening, reading, writing and speaking at the end of the two year course. At Key Stage 4, we emphasise the importance of learning vocabulary, revision and exam technique. The new GCSE now involves external examinations at the end of Year 11, therefore putting even more emphasis on continuous learning. Throughout the key stage, students continue to increase their knowledge of sound spelling links, grammar and language patterns through the study of topics.
Students can opt to study A-Levels in French, German and Spanish. By choosing a language course, students will develop their communication and presentation skills, expand their understanding of current world events, and gain a more developed understanding of different cultures and beliefs. In addition, they will take part in debates as well as learn how to analyse literature and cinema. Finally, students’ mastery of grammar and linguistics will allow them to gain a much more comprehensive understanding of their own language. Students will also have Foreign Language Assistants to work with to improve their language skills.
Students complete the Edexcel Language A- Level course and will be assessed at the end of the two year course.
Students in Year 7 will recognise the importance of learning a language and aim to develop the skills required for this. Lessons will involve all the key skills required to do this; listening, reading, speaking and writing. The topics covered include greetings, numbers, alphabet and classroom language – learning to use target language in the classroom and ask and answer everyday questions. Introduction to self and family, school life with subjects and opinions, free time and hobbies and house and home are all topics which we cover.
Grammar is taught within topic areas and includes: definite and indefinite article, adjectives and adjectival agreement, the present tense and an introduction to the future tense and conditional tense.
Students in Year 8 will continue to study the foreign language they started in Year 7, to further develop their language skills gained from the strong foundation of Year 7. Lessons will again involve all skill areas of listening, reading, speaking and writing. The topics covered include: introduction of food and drink with a revision on opinions, home and town, holidays, media with a focus on film and TV, daily routine and chores.
Grammar is taught within topic areas and includes: Revision of the present tense, the future tense, an introduction to the past tense and a focus on combining tenses – past, present and future.
All students in Year 9 continue to study their foreign language to further develop their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills in the language. The topics covered include: school life, relationships, new technology, leisure, healthy living and music.
Grammar is taught within topic areas and includes: Revision of the present tense, the future tense, and the past tense and a focus on combining tenses – past, present and future. Introduction to the imperfect tense, modal verbs and the comparative and superlative.
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Across Year 10 and Year 11, students will study the following themes:
In Year 10 students look at the topics of free time and media, where people live, travel and tourism, education, types of work, and celebrity culture. Through these topic areas, students will gain a valuable insight into the culture and traditions of the country from which the language they are studying originates. Students continue to increase their knowledge of sound spelling links, grammar and language patterns.
In Year 11 students look at the topics of identity and their relationships with others, the environment, and healthy living and lifestyle. They continue to develop their grammatical knowledge and improve their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills.
Students focus on the topics of the environment, modern family life, tourism, education and work, music, media and festivals. Within these themes, students will develop their communication and presentation skills, expand their understanding of current world events, and gain a more developed understanding of different cultures and beliefs. In addition, they will study and analyse a film in the target language.
Students focus on the topics of immigration and the history of the country they are studying. Throughout these themes, students will develop their listening, reading and translation skills. They will also study and analysis a piece of literature and complete an independent research project for their speaking exam.
The Language faculty provide a diverse range of enrichment opportunities for students. Students work with our foreign language assistants not only to develop their language skills, but also to develop their cultural knowledge. The faculty invites guest companies to come in to work with our students in engaging ways such as inviting guest speakers to speak about the importance of language learning in the work of work and working with Leeds University to offer the Explore Languages course designed to ignite passion for language learning. The school also has language themed days during the year, when the canteen serves food from a particular country.
Knowledge of a Modern Foreign Language is a skill which is increasingly valued by employers and can lead to better job prospects. Learning a language creates independent learners and promotes both thinking and communication competencies. A language is useful for those who wish to travel or work abroad and furthermore more employers and companies have links and offices in Europe. Through learning a language, students learn to appreciate different countries, cultures and people. The ability to understand and communicate in another language is a lifelong skill to have in education and work, in both this country and abroad.
