Languages

Curriculum Structure

The Languages department consists of 4 full time members of staff and 1 part time teacher and 1 member of senior team.

All students in Y7 study one of two languages – French or Spanish. They are set according to ability and then study that language until the end of KS4. The top two sets study one language and the lower two sets study the other. This alternates each year.

Bengali and Urdu are available to native speakers in Y10 and Y11.

In Years 7 & 8 pupils have three periods a week of Languages and in Years 9, 10 & 11 two periods. Homework is set every week.

Key Stage 3

1. The department is committed to the phased introduction and consolidation of a commonly agreed core of language needed for everyday classroom transactions together with the acquisition of the linguistic structures and patterns required to fulfil the demands of the National Curriculum.
2. We seek to give students insight into an enjoyment of the foreign countries by means of the exploration of the 5 Areas of Experience as stipulated in the National Curriculum.
3. Through variety, pace, choice of material and its appropriateness to the student’s needs, the department aims to stimulate and develop an enjoyment of the language, thus encouraging an openness to and a curiosity about other languages.
4. We aim to use a programme of differentiated learning activities and materials in order to meet the learning needs of all students.
5. A variety of strategies are used - teachers’ input, drilling, repetition, pair and group work, closed and open ended tasks, offering choice and developing student independence.

Key Stage 4

GCSE French / Spanish Course Content

The course is divided into four different themes and topics. Some of these build on work already done in KS3 and others will be new to students. Our aim is to get students communicating in French or Spanish in speaking and writing and understanding what they hear and what they read in the following:

• My world

  Family and Friends, Interests and Hobbies, Home, Local Environment, Daily Routine and School.

• Holiday and Travel

  Transport and Finding the Way, Tourism, Accommodation, Holiday Activities and Services

• Work and Lifestyle

  Home Life, Healthy Living, Jobs and Work Experience, Leisure and Shopping

• Young Person in Society

  Character and Personal Relationships, The Environment,Education, Careers and Future Plans and Social Issues

Examinations, Assessment & Coursework

GCSE French / Spanish assessment

The students are assessed in four skills as follows:

• Listening

  25% - a 30 or 40 minute exam at the end of Year 11

• Speaking

  25% - a 10 to 12 minute test including a role-play, presentation and conversation

• Reading

  25% - a 30 or 50 minute exam at the end of Year 11

• Writing

  25% - coursework – 3 pieces of writing totalling between 300 – 500 words.

There are two levels of entry for each skill: Foundation and Higher.

Extra-curricular activities

The department offers a variety of extra-curricular opportunities for students at Waltheof including extra sessions for exam groups. In addition staff organise a day trip to Boulogne and a two day trip to Paris for Years 7, 8 & 9 students.