Modern Foreign Languages

It is an exciting time in the development of language provision at Liverpool College and we pride ourselves in being able to offer continuity from age three to eighteen. Our Nursery pupils have the opportunity to enjoy different languages and cultures, and we hope that this early start will engender a love of languages that they will develop throughout their school years and their lives.

In all languages we adopt a communicative approach to language learning with the aim of equipping our students to deal competently with real-life situations in the target language. Equally importantly, we aim to offer insights into the culture, civilisation and contemporary society of the language being studied.

Key Stage 3
In Y7 pupils study French and Spanish and are given a comprehensive introduction to both languages. All pupils then continue with both these languages until the end of year 9, unless there is good reason for them not to (for example English is already a foreign language for them). We use Métro and Listos as our main course texts during KS3.

Key Stage 4
All students must continue with one language to GCSE, although they will be able to study both French and Spanish if they wish. We use the AQA examination board and pupils are following the new AQA GCSE course, which involves sitting reading and listening exams at the end of year 11 and completing written and speaking assessments throughout their 2 years of study. The course books are Heinemann AQA French and Spanish. At KS4 classes have regular opportunities to work with our native speaker Assistants and this enhances both their oral work and their knowledge of the foreign cultures.

Sixth Form

Modern Foreign Languages: A Level French & A Level Spanish
Sixth Form pupils can choose to study French and/or Spanish; indeed this year we have 3 girls in year 12 who are studying both languages.

We follow the WJEC Specification in both French (3191) and Spanish (3361)

The AS course for both languages covers 2 topic areas:
· Leisure and Lifestyles, including travel and tourism, sport, hobbies, entertainment, customs, traditions, healthy living - health and nutrition, diet and exercise; unhealthy living - drugs, aids, smoking, alcohol, etc
· The Individual and Society, including relationships and responsibilities, gender issues, youth culture (values, peer groups, fashions and trends etc.), education, vocational training and future careers.

From September 2011 AS classes will be allocated 6 periods per week. This extra 20% contact time will be invaluable in allowing us to access areas which lie outside the restraints of the exam specification.

In French we will use the time to study contemporary French literature and cinema. There will also be the opportunity for students to have extra sessions with our native speaker French Assistant to work on improving oral skills. In addition, some of the extra lessons will be given over to tutorials where less able students can receive individual support and talented linguists can explore more advanced grammar and skills.

In Spanish we propose to explore Spanish and Latin American Poetry with especial emphasis on the use of rhetorical devices in Federico Garcia Lorca's 'Romancero Gitano'. We shall also look at Spanish Film in the Post Franco era. The students will also be given extra time with the Spanish Assistant and the opportunity to come to tutorials to deal with specific language problems or queries.


The A2 course for both languages also covers 2 topic areas:
· Environmental Issues, including technology, pollution, global warming, transport, energy, nuclear energy, renewable energies, conservation, recycling, sustainability etc
· Social and Political Issues, including the role of the media, racism, immigration, social exclusion and integration, terrorism, world of work (employment, commerce, globalization, etc.)

Assessment

Unit

Content

Assessment

Duration

Weighting

FN1/SN1

Speaking

External examiner

15 minutes

40% of AS marks

FN2/SN2

Listening, Reading, Writing

Written

2½ hours

60% of AS marks

FN3/SN3

Speaking

External examiner

20 minutes

40% of A2 marks

FN4/SN4

Listening, Reading, Writing

Written

3 hours

60% of A2 marks

Future Opportunities
French is the second most commonly-taught second language in the world (after English), with 77 million first language speakers and 51 million second language speakers. It is the official language in 33 countries and, other than English, is the only language spoken as a native language in all 5 continents. French is one of the official working languages in dozens of international organizations, including: NATO, UN, Amnesty International and the Red Cross. Given the widespread usage and importance of French throughout the world the opportunities for those who study it are enormous.
Those with an A-level French or Spanish qualification enhance their employment prospects, as more and more companies are now looking for a workforce which can communicate with partners in Europe and beyond. Pupils who do not envisage using the language(s) as an integral part of their career also benefit from the course as they experience the enjoyment and motivation of improving their linguistic level and find foreign travel easier.
As well being available for study as a single or double honours degree, French and Spanish can also be combined with practically any other subject (Economics, Business Studies, Law, History, Music, Science-based courses to name a few) in numerous Higher Education courses. Many institutions also offer the possibility of study or work experience in a French/Spanish speaking community.

Further Information
In addition to a previous qualification in French/Spanish candidates at AS/A2 should have an interest in other cultures. Good communication skills and a willingness to participate in class are also essential. The Lower Sixth year begins with thorough revision of GCSE grammar so that all pupils feel confident in their use of the language throughout the AS course. In the Upper Sixth year pupils are exposed to more sophisticated language and prepared for the requirements of Higher Education.
At both AS and A2 pupils are taught by two teachers; in addition, all pupils spend half a period of their free time each week on conversation practice with our native speaker Assistants. In addition to regular homework, written and oral assessments based on the exam format take place throughout the course. Pupils also take a full mock paper both at AS and A2. Coursework no longer forms part of the A-level French/Spanish course; in Year 13 however pupils also study either 2 works of literature or 2 pieces of film (or indeed one of each)

French - http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=57&level=21
Spanish - http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=103&level=21

Extra-curricular activities
There have been trips to both France and Spain in recent years and last year Mrs Hunter organized a French Language and Culture Trip to Normandy for Yr 7 & 8 pupils. There have also been trips to Barcelona and work experience home-stay trips to Paris, which we would like to repeat in the future. Sixth Form trips to Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University have also proved successful in recent years, with their one-day courses on topics of advanced study.

Our recently created Language Society is investigating new activities and currently offers a mentoring scheme for pupils in KS3. Last term, thanks to Mr Forbes and Miss Kelly pupils in all years took part in a national linguistics Olympiad and we were delighted with some of their high scores. Mrs Hunter also took a team of KS4 and KS5 students to a Chinese puppet theatre competition.

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