Modern Foreign Languages 

How are students assessed?

Students are assessed on a combination of listening, reading, writing and speaking in the 4 data cycles.

Key Stage 4

What topics do students study and in what order?

The French and Spanish GCSE courses are taught over a period of 3 years starting in Year 9 until Year 11. The 4 skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing are all assessed at the end of the course. All students will have the opportunity to work with a Foreign Language Assistant to hone their speaking skills. Students will study 3 main themes which are outlined below with the relevant sub-topics.

3.1.1 Theme 1: Identity and culture

Theme 1: Identity and culture covers the following four topics with related sub-topics shown as bullet points:

Topic 1: Me, my family and friends

• Relationships with family and friends;
• Marriage/partnership.

Topic 2: Technology in everyday life

• Social media;
• Mobile technology.

Topic 3: Free-time activities

• Music;
• Cinema and TV;
• Food and eating out;
• Sport.

Topic 4: Customs and festivals in Spanish/French-speaking countries/communities 

3.1.2 Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest covers the following four topics with related sub-topics shown as bullet points:

Topic 1: Home, town, neighbourhood and region

Topic 2: Social issues

• Charity/voluntary work

• Healthy/unhealthy living

Topic 3: Global issues

• The environment

• Poverty/homelessness

Topic 4: Travel and tourism

3.1.3 Theme 3: Current and future study and employment

Theme 3: Current and future study and employment covers the following four topics:

 Topic 1: My studies

 Topic 2: Life at school/college

 Topic 3: Education post-16

 Topic 4: Jobs, career choices and ambitions

How are students assessed?

Each learning cycle students are assessed on a combination of the skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. All written assessments follow the exact format of the GCSE examination. In Year 11 students will be assessed on their performance on AQA past examination papers. There will also be a mock speaking examination in January which will be exactly like the actual speaking examination which takes place after Easter each year. Final examinations are taken in all 4 skill areas, each counting for 25% of the total GCSE.

Key Stage 5

What do students study and in what order?

Spanish:

Year 1:

• Modern and traditional values;
• Cyberspace;
• Equality of the sexes;
• Influence of idols;
• Regional Identity;
• Cultural Heritage.

Film: María llena eres de gracia

Year 2:

• Immigration;
• Racism;
• Integration;
• Young people and political activism;
• Monarchies and dictatorships;
• Political protest.

Play: La Casa De Bernarda Alba.

French:

Year 1

• The changing nature of family (La famille en voie de changement);
• The 'cyber-society' (La « cyber-société »);
• The place of voluntary work (Le rôle du bénévolat);
• A culture proud of its heritage (Une culture fière de son patrimoine);
• Contemporary francophone music (La musique francophone contemporaine);
• Cinema: the 7th art form (Cinéma : le septième art).

Film: Entre les murs

Year 2

• Positive features of a diverse society (Les aspects positifs d'une société diverse);
• Life for the marginalised (Quelle vie pour les marginalisés ? );
• How criminals are treated (Comment on traite les criminels);
• Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment (Les ados, le droit de vote et l'engagement politique);
• Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power? (manifestations, grèves – à qui le pouvoir ? );
• Politics and immigration (La politique et l'immigration).

Book: Un sac de billes

How are students assessed?

• Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes (50% of A Level)
• Written exam: 2 hours (20% of A Level)
• Oral exam: 21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation time) (30%)