French Curriculum Overview

Course Title:  GCSE French/German

Awarding Body:  AQA

Why study Foreign Languages?

• It can prove useful to promote language learning for its transferable skills, such as the way in which the skills learnt in language lessons transfer to other curriculum subjects and can improve overall academic performance.
• Contribution of cognitive development, particularly as good memory skills are so essential for other subjects and as a life skill.
• Knowledge of a foreign language is not just another GCSE grade – it is a concrete and demonstrable life skill, like being able to drive a car or touch-type, and it is a skill highly valued by employers.
• Learning how to interact with speakers of other languages means you are less likely to be stuck in one mode of thinking.  It can help you see things from a range of perspectives, develop your problem-solving skills, and make you more adaptable, resourceful and creative.
• Learning a language combines the intellectual with the practical as no other subject does.  You need to be able to think on your feet, but when you can find exactly the right foreign word or phrase, you get a real sense of achievement.
• There are many opportunities to travel or work with organisations abroad where knowledge of a foreign language is a clear advantage.

Course Outline

The ability to use one or more Modern Foreign Languages is becoming increasingly important.  Opportunity for travel has never been greater and language skills will play a crucial role in many careers.  For the present generation of students a qualification in languages will be essential for participation in the cultural and economic life of Europe and the world.

The entry tier in Year 11 dictates the grades that are accessible; these are listed below:

All students follow a GCSE course; the tier of entry is not decided until after students have sat their mock examination in December of Year 11.

The syllabus used is AQA French and German.  The course assesses the following skill areas:

• Listening (Paper 1) - 25% (external assessment)
• Speaking (paper2) - 25% (external assessment)
• Reading (Paper3) - 25% (external assessment)    
• Writing (Paper4) - 25% (external assessment)   

More information and the full syllabus can be found at:

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/french-8658

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/german-8668

FURTHER INFORMATION

• It is essential for all students to own a dictionary in order to develop their linguistic competence. Study guides are available from the school.
• Further information can be obtained from any of the Modern Foreign Language teachers at the school.
• An educational foreign trip will take place in Year 10.

Assessment Format

AQA (1-9) French (8658)

AQA (1-9) German (8668)

Students are assessed on all 4 skill areas.

Formal exams are at the end of the course, in Year 11.

The length of the examination depends on the tier of entry.

Translation is tested in two papers.

(Writing – text from English to Target Language

Reading – text from Target Language to English)

What skills will I need to be successful in this subject?

This qualification gives students the opportunity to:

• develop their ability to listen and understand the spoken target language in a range of contexts and variety of styles;
• communicate in writing;
• understand and apply a range of vocabulary and structures;
• develop communication strategies which will greatly increase their ability to cope successfully with unknown words. There are two main types of strategy: those that relate to understanding (reading and listening) and those that relate to production (speaking and writing);
• develop problem solving skills;
• development of memory skills.

Possible Careers and Future Education

Pick a foreign language, any foreign language. No matter what language it is, the beauty of having a language degree is that there is no one given career path following graduation. Language degrees can open up opportunities in areas that you may never even have thought to look at.

• Foreign Civil Service
• Airline Service
• Editing and Publishing
• Event Management
• Import/Export Specialist