Modern Languages

Modern Languages appear in the options columns, but pupils are strongly advised to include at least one modern language in their GCSE programme. Any pupil wishing to discontinue French, German or Spanish may be able to do so after consultation with their Tutor, parents and the Director of Languages. Languages are very important, especially for musicians contemplating studying in Europe. You cannot study a language at GCSE unless you have studied it before or you are a native speaker of the language- in which case you will need to come and have a conversation with Ms Desmarchelier-Arpino.

You are likely to have followed a course to Key Stage 3 (Year 9) in French, German or Spanish, or you were raised in a French, German or Spanish speaking environment. If you are a native of a French, German or Spanish speaking country, you may be able to do the First Language examination in this language, a situation that would need to be discussed with Ms DesmarchelierArpino.

You will extend your ability to use and understand the written and spoken language. This involves learning items of vocabulary and mastering the grammatical rules which enable you to put words together into effective sentences. The topics you will study in order to practise this language are grouped under five broad areas: Area A: Everyday Activities Area B: Personal and Social Life Area C: The World Around Us Area D: The World of Work Area E: The International World

There is plenty of opportunity for this course to contribute to and benefit from your work in other subjects. In the examination you will be tested separately on the four following skills, in an end of year examination: Listening (Paper 1 approx. 45 minutes), Reading (Paper 2 approx. 60 minutes), Speaking (Paper 3 approx. 10 minutes: conducted and marked by teachers, but moderated by Cambridge) and Writing (paper 4 approx. 60 minutes). Each skill weighs 25% of the total IGCSE.

Your skill in the written language will be assessed by means of an end of course one-hour examination, during which you will have to respond in the target language to three tasks. It is therefore vital that you acquire a lot of vocabulary and a good understanding of the grammar during the course.

Your skill in the spoken language will be assessed by means of an end of course 10-minute examination divided into two parts: role-play and general conversation on 2 Areas, undisclosed in advance.

French, German or Spanish at IGCSE is necessary for A-Level study of these languages. All that you learn about a foreign language will also contribute to language, communication and presentation skills needed in other subjects such as English and History, and to make yourself more marketable when choosing a career or seeking employment, in engineering, law or business especially.

Results in the department were very good with a considerable number of pupils achieving grade 9-7. In French, German and Spanish 100% of pupils achieved 9-4 grades.

If you are a native of another language, do come and speak to Ms Desmarchelier-Arpino about taking a IGCSE in your native language if it exists. Currently, it is possible to take IGCSE First Language in Chinese, Spanish, French and German. You will not have any lessons, but will need to be registered with Ms Desmarchelier-Arpino. This is an EXTRA GCSE.