INTRODUCTION
As a department we are committed to instilling in pupils a sense of the value, importance and pleasure of learning languages and to ensuring maximum pupil achievement. We also aim to widen pupils’ cultural awareness and inspire a life-long interest in the countries of study. We aim to achieve this through contact with our Foreign Language Assistants, use of authentic
materials from France, Germany and China, interesting and informative textbooks/audio-visual material, use of IT/websites and other language learning activities. We are pleased to be able to offer French, German and Mandarin Chinese. With 885 million speakers, Mandarin Chinese is by far the most widely spoken language in the world. It is also becoming increasingly important as a world language as the Chinese economy develops. We also run a number of extra-curricular clubs/extra classes and trips to enhance pupils’ learning. |
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GCSE LANGUAGES - FRENCH AND GERMAN AND MANDARIN CHINESE
At Key Stage 4 pupils may choose to study either French or German. It is also possible for pupils to opt to study both French and German if they have shown ability in both languages and commitment to language learning. Pupils continue to be set according to ability and study their chosen language for three hours per week for two years working towards a full course GCSE qualification.
COURSE CONTENT
A wide range of topics continues to be taught at Key Stage 4, building on achievement in Years 7 -9. The course develops the language skills needed to communicate in French/German and is therefore very useful for pupils considering entry into the European job market.
The topics covered at GCSE National Curriculum / GCSE examination are:
- Everyday activities, including home life, school, food, health and fitness
- Personal and social life, including yourself/family, free time/social activities, holidays and special occasions
- The world around us, including your home town and local area, the environment, people, places, customs, cultures and traditions.
- The world of work, including further education and training, careers and employment, language and communication in the work place
- The international world, including tourism, life in other countries/communities and world events/issues.
Pupils’ language skills continue to be developed in the four key areas tested at GCSE - speaking, listening, reading and writing. The course encourages pupils to use the language creatively and to acquire a useful level of competence in real life situations. The course also promotes language/ cultural awareness and, where appropriate, an understanding of grammar.
CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT
Speaking and Writing skills in French and German are assessed by short tasks that make up 60% of the final mark. (30% for each skill.)
EXAMINATION
There are two papers in French and German (Listening and Reading) - Foundation or Higher Tier worth 20%.
HOME LEARNING
Home learning is set twice a week and alternates between written work and learning tasks.
EDUCATION EXTRA, SUPPORT AND TRIPS
The department runs a number of trips designed to help pupils in their language learning, including an intensive study week day for pupils in Year 11 and a residential trip to a Chateau in Normandy. We also offer revision and extension classes and in Year 10 pupils may choose to complete their work experience in Germany.
HOW PARENTS CAN HELP
Parents/carers can help by supporting pupils with home learning. Parents play an extremely important part in helping pupils to achieve their full potential. We would like to encourage parents to help in the following ways:
- Ensuring pupils have all the correct equipment/books for each lesson
- Ensuring pupils meet home learning deadlines
- Trying to provide a quiet environment for pupils to work in at home
- Providing a dictionary such as the Larousse mini dictionary for £3.99. (The department is fortunate in having class sets of dictionaries, however these are not taken home by pupils.)
SECURING SUCCESS
The department will endeavour to support pupils as much as possible with materials, revision classes, time with a languages assistant and home learning support. When a pupil produces a piece of home learning which does not show the required effort they will be asked to do the work again either during lunchtime or after school. Where there is a concern with a pupil’s progress the parent/carers will be contacted so that we can work together to improve the situation.
STAFF
Head of Modern Foreign Languages - Tania Dickens
If at any stage you are concerned or have any questions relating to Modern Foreign Languages, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or Mrs T Dickens. For any questions about the Mandarin Chinese course please contact Mrs Christine Jarrold in the Modern Foreign
Languages Department. We will be pleased to arrange an interview at a mutually convenient time.
With 885 million speakers, Mandarin Chinese is by far the most widely spoken language in the world. It is also becoming increasingly important as a world language as the Chinese economy develops. Britain’s trade with China, for example, is expected to quadruple over the next ten years. Last year 14% of British schools offered a course in Mandarin Chinese.
WHY LEARN CHINESE?
If you enjoy communicating with other people, finding out how language works and learning about different countries and cultures you will enjoy this course.
You will learn to speak, understand, read and write Chinese for practical everyday purposes. By the end of the course you should be able to introduce yourself, chat about your family, school and home town, discuss your hobbies, your holidays and your future plans. You will also be able to go shopping, ask for directions, book into a hotel, visit the doctor and order food in a restaurant or tickets for travel and events. You will have learnt to read and write hundreds of Chinese characters and will be able to write letters to friends and read simple stories and leaflets.
When you have completed your GCSE, you will be able to enjoy talking to other Chinese speakers and will be ready, if you wish, to study A Level Chinese. You will have skills to impress employers and will have improved your chances of working abroad. You will have developed skills in language learning which can be transferred to the learning of other languages. You will also have learnt broader skills which will be useful in a wide variety of careers, such as the ability to communicate clearly, confidence in public speaking and problem solving skills.
HOME LEARNING
Home learning is important to help you to practise the Chinese characters and develop independent use of the language. It will be set twice a week and should take approximately 45 minutes each time.
EXAMINATION
In Year 11 you will be assessed on your skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in Chinese. You will complete two oral and two written assessments from a wide range of possible topics. For the speaking assessments you may for example role-play a conversation in a shop or a restaurant with your teacher or make a presentation about a topic that interests you. For the written assessments you may write a letter or an article for a magazine. These assessments will be followed by formal examinations in listening and reading in May/June of Year 11.
This course is only open to pupils who have followed the Year 9 Mandarin Chinese Foundation Course or who are able to demonstrate that they have reached an equivalent standard. If you have any questions about the course, please contact Mrs Christine Jarrold in the Modern Languages Department.
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