Modern Languages
In Year 7 students learn to express themselves in the fundamentals of the target language. Schemes of work cover the following topics: ‘Introductions’, ‘Self and family’, ‘House and town’, ‘My school day’, ‘Holidays’ and ‘Free time’. Students also explore cultural themes and spend a half term looking at a different country that speaks the target language. Assessments take place every half term, and are based around the four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. By the end of the year, students are able to offer opinions on the various topics they have studied and discuss events in the present and future tenses.
In Year 8 students develop their knowledge of the language and use more complex grammar and vocabulary. Schemes of work cover the following topics: ‘School Routine’, ‘Hobbies’, ‘Work and future plans’, ‘Health’, ‘Holidays’ and ‘Tourism’. Students continue to explore cultural themes and use authentic resources such as magazines and videos. Assessments take place every half term, and are based around the four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. By the end of the year, students are able to give a range of justified opinions on the various topics they have studied and discuss events in the past, present and future tenses.
The topic areas studied at Key Stage 3 are revisited in greater detail and are condensed into three themes. Each theme is split into four sub topics. In Year 9 students work through the first six sub topics. Units are broken down into ‘Me, my family and friends’, ‘Technology in everyday life’, ‘Free-time activities’, ‘Customs and Festivals’, ‘Home, town, neighbourhood and region’ and ‘Social issues’. The broad range of topics covered allows students to develop a much wider vocabulary and deepen their cultural understanding of the language. Students are examined each half term on a different skill, either Reading and Listening or Speaking and Writing. Though students are not assessed using GCSE assessment materials at this stage, they begin to develop the skillset and independence needed to excel when they begin the GCSE in Year 10.
In Year 10 students start the GCSE AQA course. The topic areas studied at Key Stage 3 are revisited in greater detail and are condensed into three themes. Each theme is split into four sub topics. In Year 10 students work through the first 7 sub topics. Units are broken down into ‘Me, my family and friends’, ‘Technology in everyday life’, ‘Free-time activities’, ‘Customs and Festivals’, ‘Home, town, neighbourhood and region’, ‘Social issues’ and ‘travel and tourism’. The broad range of topics covered allows students to develop a much wider vocabulary and deepen their cultural understanding of the language. Students are examined each half term on a different skill, either Reading and Listening or Speaking and Writing using past paper questions to start familiarising them with the final exam requirements.
In year 11 students complete the GCSE AQA course. They begin with finishing the sub topics, ‘school, ‘post 16 options and careers’ and ‘global issues’ and will then revise the whole courseH. They complete the speaking exam in April and then final exams in writing, reading and listening in May/June. Each exam counts as 25% for the total grade.
