Modern Foreign Languages

Foundation Certificate in Secondary Education
Modern Foreign Languages

We are introducing the Foundation Certificate of Secondary Education in Modern Foreign Languages for year 9 – first examination in 2009.

This exam provides an end of KS3 assessment, with pupils receiving a certificate from AQA. It is intended for pupils who may not continue to do GCSE at KS4, so that they come out with a qualification after three years of studying languages.

The awards are available at three levels – Pass, Merit and Distinction - these correspond to National Curriculum levels 4, 5 and 6.

Pupils are continually assessed and produce a portfolio of twelve assignments at the end of the year. They are assessed in four skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking - on three units.

Units cover subjects such as Home Life, Holidays, Health and Fitness and Media.

!Viva Teatro! Year 10 pupils and Mrs Whitfield celebrate the news that the Modern Languages and Drama departments have been awarded a grant by the European Union! This two year project aims to develop Spanish language and cultural understanding by working in partnership with IES Villablanca, Madrid .

All pupils taking these GCSE subjects will follow specially designed modules to enhance a wider appreciation of the different cultures. Exciting extra curricular activities will be offered to all interested senior pupils and the twelve who form the exchange group will regularly use video conferencing to communicate with their partners in Madrid . They will also prepare a joint production to perform during their 10 day stay in each other’s country. (If they don’t speak Spanish now, there will be weekly lessons to get them talking!)

What's the point in learning a language?

Technology, globalisation and ease of international travel are bringing more and more of the world within our reach. Does that mean that there is an increased need to speak a foreign language or can we get by with English - which is after all increasingly a global language.

Here are 10 good reasons for learning a language:

•  People with languages find it easier to get jobs
•  There is a wide choice of jobs with languages
•  Languages combine well with virtually any subject
•  Learning languages is challenging but fun
•  Languages courses prepare you for the type of situations you will meet at work
•  Languages teach you adaptability and communications skills
•  Travel abroad!
•  Languages give you a sense of achievement and cultural sophistication
•  Languages are people-centred
•  Languages give you the edge on competitors

More information
(from CiLT - Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research)

A Student's Guide to Careers Using Languages >>
An Advisor's Guide to Careers Using Languages >>
Why Studying Languages Will Get You Places >>