Modern Foreign Languages Mrs M Mathews (Curriculum Leader: Modern Foreign Languages)

Nowadays, everyone accepts the need to study at least one foreign language. Here at Charters you will have studied French and Spanish for three years and achieved an accredited AQA FCSE, which has tested your knowledge in three topic areas.

Some of you will already know that you want to continue studying both Spanish and French to GCSE level, but many more of you will have room for only one language in your options programme. So which should you choose?

The Modern Foreign Languages Department has great experience in successfully preparing candidates for both Spanish and French GCSE.

All skills and techniques of language learning are common to both French and Spanish. Think of a violinist taking up the viola and applying the same skills or a driver moving on from go-karting to Formula One racing! Much more rapid progress can be made on the second skill because of the groundwork put in on the first.

What should influence your choice?

• Choose the language you prefer. Some people find they have a "feel" for one language or the other.
• If your family already has links with Spain or France, easy access to speaking practice is an important plus point.
• If you have definite career plans, you should find out if one language might be more useful than the other.
• If you still can’t make up your mind, talk to your Spanish and French teachers

To enhance your successful language learning in Year 9, the GCSE courses in French and Spanish aim to:-

• develop your ability to use the language effectively for communicating in “real life” situations
• encourage your understanding and awareness of the foreign country, its people and their way of life
• help you to form a sound base of the skills required for further study, work and leisure
• encourage you to develop awareness and understanding of the nature of language learning.

Interesting, authentic materials (articles from newspapers and magazines, brochures, letters, radio and television broadcasts) will be used wherever possible. You will have the opportunity to practise speaking with a foreign language assistant and will be encouraged to write to pen-friends and take part in visits abroad.

The GCSE Examination

The Languages Department runs a programme of continuous internal assessment. This will help both you and us review your progress and decide on the appropriate tier of entry for each attainment target.

Listening and Reading are examined at two different tiers (Foundation and Higher) at the end of the two-year course. These are worth a total of 40% of your GCSE grade.

Writing is coursework, 30% of the GCSE and is completed in controlled conditions, and marked by the examining board.

Your teacher tests you and marks the speaking assessments, 30% of the GCSE. You prepare with an oral practice booklet, the exams are recorded and moderated by the examining board.

The writing and speaking are therefore worth a total of 60% of your GCSE. You are taught topics in class and have to learn vocabulary on a regular basis. Full and detailed answers are required for both speaking and writing.

You must be prepared to work independently when preparing for the controlled assessments and meet deadlines!