Modern Foreign Languages

All pupils are required to study at least one Edexcel Modern Foreign Language as a core subject: French, German or Spanish. Pupils can only select German or Spanish if they have studied this language in Years 8 and 9. Pupils may, if they wish, study two Modern Foreign Languages at GCSE level i.e. French and German OR French and Spanish.

The aims of each Modern Language course:

To develop the ability to communicate confidently and successfully with native speakers in speech and writing.

To listen to and understand clearly articulated standard speech at near normal speed.

To deepen knowledge about how language works and enrich vocabulary in order to increase independent use and understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts.

To acquire new knowledge, skills and ways of thinking through the ability to understand and respond to a rich range of authentic spoken and written material, adapted and abridged, as appropriate, including literary texts

To develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities where the language is spoken.

To develop language-learning skills both for immediate use and in preparation for further language study and use in higher education, employment and leisure.

There are three externally examined papers based on the four key language skills:

Understanding of standard spoken language by one or more speakers in a range of public and social settings is assessed through multiple-response and short-answer open response questions.

Themes and topics

Understanding of the written language across a range of different types of texts is assessed through multiple-response and short-answer questions in the target language The ability to communicate effectively through writing in the language for different purposes is assessed through extended responses of varying lengths and types to express ideas and opinions. One task will involve a grammar gap fill.

The ability to communicate and interact effectively in the language for different purposes and in different settings is assessed through a picture-based task and a conversation based on two themes.

The course is organised into five themes, each broken down into topics and sub-topics:

• Home and abroad

• Education and employment

• Personal life and relationships

• The world around us

• Social activities, fitness and health.

All themes and topics are studied in the context of both the students’ home country and that of the countries and communities where the target language is spoken.