Languages
Within the academy we strive to create a learning environment, curriculum, experiences and relationships in which all individuals can find expression, be nourished and developed.
The academy commits itself to creating an environment for everyone that is characterised by our core values of Truth, Justice, Forgiveness, Generosity and Respect.
Students use the language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing alongside the acquisition of grammar and vocabulary to cover topic areas such as family, school, hobbies, numbers, and animals, moving towards more mature topics in KS4: for example, The Environment; Technology in Everyday Life; Career Choices and Ambitions; Travel and Tourism; and Healthy and Unhealthy Living. The communication skills developed during the courses are highly valued in the work place and the ability to speak a foreign language makes students very attractive to employers, preparing them well for the global economy.
The school has a system whereby on alternate years, Year 7 students will study either French or Spanish. They will then continue the study of the same language in subsequent years.
Why Study Languages?
With the use of a variety of teaching methods and resources, the aim of our language curriculum is to develop a working knowledge of European languages, coupled with an increase in understanding of an ever-increasing global citizenship. We encourage, through language learning, a positive attitude towards other cultures and countries. Students are offered the opportunity to learn French or Spanish, depending on the cohort. This is supplemented by extra-curricular activities, a homework/ study club and visits. Language qualifications lead not only to employment in travel, tourism, teaching and translating but are in ever-increasing demand in the public services, technology and engineering sectors.
Languages KS3
Key Stage 3
In KS3 emphasis is placed on using French or Spanish as a real means of communication in the classroom, thus building up confidence and a sense of achievement among students. Language is built up using front-of-class teaching resources using a digital platform, including for homework; text books; teacher-prepared resources; and a variety of language games. We use the Studio textbooks for French and the Viva textbooks for Spanish (Key Stage 3, Red and Green books for Sirius and Polaris students respectively).
The KS3 French curriculum
| Year 7 | Year 8 | |
| Autumn Term 1 | Le français de base 1 (Basic French 1) | T’es branché? (Free time and personal identity) |
| Autumn Term 2 | Le français de base 1 (Basic French 2) | Paris, je t’adore (Activities in town) |
| Spring Term 1 | C’est perso (Myself and others) | Bien dans sa peau (Health and food) |
| Spring Term 2 | Mon collège (My school) | A l’horizon (Jobs and personality) |
| Summer Term 1 | Mes passe-temps (My hobbies) | Spécial vacances/culture (Holidays, carnivals, events and festivals) |
| Summer Term 2 | Les vacances et sortir (Holidays and going out) | Moi dans le monde (My priorities and talents) |
The KS3 Spanish curriculum
| Year 7 | Year 8 | |
| Autumn Term 1 | Mi vida (My life) | Mis vacaciones (My holidays) |
| Autumn Term 2 | My tiempo libre (My free time) | Todo sobre mi vida (All about my life) |
| Spring Term 1 | Mi insti (My school) | Trabajos (Jobs) |
| Spring Term 2 | Mi familia y mis amigos (My family and friends) | Salud (Health) |
| Summer Term 1 | Mi ciudad (My town) | Mis derechos (Rights and priorities) |
| Summer Term 2 | Salir y donde vivo (Going out and where I live) | Un viaje al extranjero + cultura (A trip abroad + culture) |
PARENTS CAN HELP BY:
- Testing students on new vocabulary
- Encouraging them to respond in French/Spanish at home, even if you are speaking in English
- Encouraging siblings to practise their languages together
- Considering allowing students to take part in school trips abroad or arranging trips as a family
- Using the internet for language games
- From Year 8, talking to your child about GCSEs
- Accessing the languages website used by the department: www.pearsonactivelearn.com (u/n: student’s computer logon; p/w:academy1)
Languages KS4
Depending on which language studied at KS3
STUDENTS WILL STUDY: EITHER
AQA GCSE French – Curriculum Progress Leader: Mrs Yanes
GCSE 9-1 3 exams 1 Non-Examination Assessment Foundation or Higher
Paper 1: Listening – Students are taught listening strategies and a variety of topics within the three overarching themes of Identity and culture; Local, national, international and global areas of interest; and Current and future study and employment (25%)
45 minute Higher / 35 minute Foundation written exam
Paper 2: Speaking – Speaking consists of three components: a role play; a photo card discussion; and a general conversation (25%) 10-12 minute Higher / 7-9 minute Foundation speaking non-examination assessment
Paper 3: Reading – Students are taught reading strategies and a variety of topics within three overarching themes. They also learn how to translate from the target language into English and become familiar with tackling both factual and imaginative texts, including literary extracts (25%) – 60 minute Higher / 45 minute Foundation written exam
Paper 4: Writing – The writing exam consists of writing shorter and longer texts, using different tenses and a variety of other structures, and translating from English into the target language. The Foundation paper also requires the ability to describe a photo in writing (25%)
1 hour 15 minute Higher / 1 hour Foundation written exam
Links to further information:
French and GCSE Modern Foreign Languages
OR
AQA GCSE Spanish
Curriculum Progress Leader: Mrs Yanes
GCSE 9-1 3 exams 1 Non-Examination Assessment Foundation or Higher
Paper 1: Listening – Students are taught listening strategies and a variety of topics within the three overarching themes of Identity and culture; Local, national, international and global areas of interest; and Current and future study and employment (25%)
45 minute Higher / 35 minute Foundation written exam
Paper 2: Speaking – Speaking consists of three components: a role play; a photo card discussion; and a general conversation (25%) 10-12 minute Higher / 7-9 minute Foundation speaking non-examination assessment
Paper 3: Reading – Students are taught reading strategies and a variety of topics within three overarching themes. They also learn how to translate from the target language into English and become familiar with tackling both factual and imaginative texts, including literary extracts (25%) – 60 minute Higher / 45 minute Foundation written exam
Paper 4: Writing – The writing exam consists of writing shorter and longer texts, using different tenses and a variety of other structures, and translating from English into the target language. The Foundation paper also requires the ability to describe a photo in writing (25%)
1 hour 15 minute Higher / 1 hour Foundation written exam
Links to further information:
Spanish and GCSE Modern Foreign Languages
The KS4 course will enable students to broaden and deepen their knowledge in all four language skills, leading to a GCSE (AQA board). We continue to use the Studio and Viva courses (GCSE level, at both Higher and Foundation tiers) for French and Spanish respectively.
The KS4 GCSE French Curriculum
| Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | |
| Autumn Term 1 |
Qui suis-je? Family, friends, role models
|
De la ville à la campagneHome town, region, tourism, weather
|
Un oeil sur le mondeLocal and global issues, the environment, fair trade, volunteering, big events
|
| Autumn Term 2 |
Qui suis-je?Family, friends, role models
|
Le grand large Home town, region, tourism, weather
|
Un oeil sur le mondeLocal and global issues, the environment, fair trade, volunteering, big events
|
| Spring Term 1 |
Le temps des loisirsHobbies, using technology, going out
|
Le grand large Holidays
|
Revision; Review; Grammar, vocabulary & skills development
|
| Spring Term 2 |
Le temps des loisirsHobbies, using technology, going out
|
Au collègeSchool life
|
Exam Practice |
| Summer Term 1 |
Jours ordinaires, jours de fȇteFood, clothes, daily life, festivals, traditions and celebrations
|
Bon travailJobs and future plans
|
Exam Practice/Exams |
| Summer Term 2 |
Jours ordinaires, jours de fȇte + RevisionFood, clothes, daily life, festivals, traditions and celebrations
|
Bon travail + Revision
|
The KS4 GCSE Spanish Curriculum
| Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | |
| Autumn Term 1 |
Desconéctate
Holidays, weather
|
Ciudades
Home town, region, tourism, shopping for clothes
|
Hacia un mundo mejor
Environment, local and global issues, healthy lifestyle, big events
|
| Autumn Term 2 |
Desconéctate
Holidays, weather
|
Ciudades
Home town, region, tourism, shopping for clothes
|
Hacia un mundo mejor
Environment, local and global issues, healthy lifestyle, big events
|
| Spring Term 1 |
Mi vida en el insti
School life
|
De costumbre
School activities
|
Revision; Review; Grammar, vocabulary & skills development |
| Spring Term 2 |
Mi vida en el insti
School life
|
De costumbre
Meals and dining out, illnesses and injuries, festivals, special days
|
Exam Practice |
| Summer Term 1 |
Mi gente
Family, friends, going out
|
A currar
Jobs, pocket money, work experience, future plans
|
Exam Practice/Exams |
| Summer Term 2 |
Intereses e influencias
Free time, role models
|
A currar
Jobs, pocket money, work experience, future plans
|
Assessments:
25% Listening exam in May of Year 11
25% Speaking exam in April/ May of Year 11
25% Reading exam in May of Year 11
25% Writing exam in May of Year 11
See Assessment Overviews at the link here.
PARENTS CAN HELP BY:
- Testing students on new vocabulary (students usually have a weekly vocabulary test in Key Stage 4)
- Encouraging them to respond in French/Spanish at home, even if you are speaking in English
- Encouraging siblings to practise their languages together
- Considering allowing students to take part in school trips abroad or arranging trips as a family
- On family holidays encouraging students to make contact with foreign youngsters to practise the language
- Using the internet for language games
- Buying a French/Spanish dictionary for use with homework
- Encouraging students to attend extra speaking classes in school
- Ensuring students keep to homework deadlines
Accessing the languages website used by the department: www.pearsonactivelearn.com (u/n: student’s computer logon; p/w:academy1)