Home About Us
Prospectus
Departments
Sports
Extra Curricular
Library Photo Gallery Special Events
Grammarians
Charities Internet Safety
Staff Vacancies Resources
Contact Us
 

Modern Languages Department
       

Teaching Staff
 The Head of Department is:

  • Mr W McMurtry BA (Hons) PGCE

The other teachers within the department are:

  • Mrs J Addis BA (Hons) PGCE

  • Mrs K Campbell BA (Hons) PGCE

  • Mrs J Muldrew MA (Hons) PGCE

Foreign Language Assistants 2009-2010:

  • French: Mlle Virginie Felchlin

  • Spanish: Sr. Francisco Javier García Villaamil

 

Key Stage 3

Pupils are introduced to French in Year 8, and Spanish in Year 9, continuing both to the end of Key Stage 3.  The Schemes of Work across Key Stage 3 embrace all of the key elements and cross-curricular skills set out in the Revised Curriculum. The Modern Languages Department endeavours to engage Key Stage 3 pupils in a language learning experience which is stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable for all.  Pupils are engaged in a wide variety of interesting and educational topics, including: self, family and friends, school life, home life, holidays, pastimes, and diet and nutrition.  Pupils also engage in the key elements of citizenship, mutual understanding, and cultural and spiritual awareness from interviews with the Foreign Language Assistants and personal projects.  The Modern Languages Department has made great strides in incorporating ICT into its classroom practise and pupils have the opportunity to develop their ICT skills in tandem with their knowledge of the language in activities ranging from word-processed Personal Dossiers to Powerpoint presentations on various topics from the Schemes of Work.  Skills and knowledge acquired in Modern Languages at Key Stage 3 will provide pupils with a sound basis for which to continue their language studies to GCSE and beyond.
 

GCSE

At the beginning of Key Stage 4 pupils are encouraged to continue their studies in a Modern Language, with a healthy number of pupils choosing to pursue both to GCSE (AQA).  At this stage language skills and grammatical structures already taught at Key Stage 3 are reinforced and built upon and a modular approach is again followed with assessments in a variety of skills taking place at the end of each module to monitor progress.  Pupils will cover interesting and varied topics, including: personal relationships, tourism, the environment, leisure, home life, education, and work.  Pupils are assessed in the four key communication skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.  The GCSE course aims to: develop understanding of the spoken and written forms of the language in a range of contexts; develop the ability to communicate in the language, through both the spoken and written word, using a range of vocabulary and structures; develop knowledge and understanding of the grammar in the language, and the ability to apply it; apply the knowledge and understanding of the pupils in a variety of relevant contexts which reflect their previous learning and maturity; develop knowledge and understanding of the target countries; develop positive attitudes to language learning; and provide a suitable foundation for further study and/or practical use of the language.   Pupils will also have the opportunity to practise their speaking skills with the foreign language assistants. 
 

AS and A2

At AS and A2 level (CCEA) pupils embark on courses which provide broad and varied content.  The focus is primarily on communication skills while grammatical structures are further reinforced and developed.  Pupils also cover a range of language topics and gain an invaluable insight into many aspects of society in the target country.  Pupils also have the opportunity to study literature and civilization at this level.  Independent study is also encouraged at this level and students are encouraged to immerse themselves in the language as much as possible and are directed towards the vast range of material and resources available to them within the department and online where valuable time should be spent reading daily newspapers in the target language and engaging in various language-specific websites and activities.  The course incorporates a variety of teaching methods including paired work, use of ICT for individual and group presentations, personal research into various topics, listening exercises, reading comprehensions, translation activities, and use of the language assistant.  The course has been designed to provide a suitable foundation for further study and/or practical use of the language, as well as a coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study for students who do not progress to further study in the subject. Career paths taken with the study of languages include: interpreting, translating, diplomatic work, teaching, international business, journalism, immigration and customs, international sales, voluntary service overseas and many more.
 

Trips and Events

The Modern Languages Department aims to enhance the language learning experience of the pupils, broaden their horizons and make them more culturally aware through organised trips and events.  Successful events have included the annual European Day of Languages, French Theatre Production, Spanish Immersion Weekend, Spanish Exchange and the forthcoming Paris 2010 trip for Stage 3 pupils.

Click from the links below to view photographs of the event.

 

  

Bookmark Us