Modern Foreign Languages

Exam Board: AQA

Exam Board Website: AQA – Assessment and Qualifications Alliance externallink

Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum Summary
Year 7 This section will be updated shortly.
Year 8
Year 9
GCSE General Information

English is not enough – in fact 75% of the world population can’t speak it at all!  More and more colleges and universities are asking for a GCSE in a language as part of their requirements for being accepted onto a course.  Learning a language is a challenge and can be tough, but why not use it as an opportunity to show future employers or colleges / universities what you are made of?  We live in a globalised society where knowledge of another language is seen more and more as a valuable asset and one that can increase your earning potential.At Swanmore you have the opportunity to study either French or Spanish to GCSE. Both are languages which have huge value in business and social contexts, as well as for holiday and leisure purposes.  Languages are increasingly important in today’s world and you would undoubtedly benefit from taking a language at Key Stage 4. If you have studied French all through KS3, we could be guiding you towards studying French GCSE. If you have started Spanish in Year 9, you are able to choose either language at GCSE level. 

What will I need to succeed?

You will need:

  • an enquiring mind and the ability to use a variety of communication strategies and language learning skills.
  • to develop an understanding of your chosen language in a wide range of contexts.
  • to be prepared to broaden your horizons by developing an awareness of the culture and identity of the countries and communities speaking the language you are studying .
  • to develop the ability to communicate effectively, spontaneously and fluently in both speaking and writing in the target language.
  • to develop key skills such as grammatical awareness, regular vocabulary learning and solid pronunciation and intonation, which will prepare you for further language study.
  • to be an independent learner prepared to explore a variety of electronic media to consolidate your learning.


Language learners also benefit from a wider knowledge of their own language and the culture in which they live.  

Learning a language is a life skill – it gets you places! And scientific research suggests that the best time for the brain to learn a new language is during teenage years.  Don’t go on to regret not taking the chance to do so…  

Subject Content – AQA GCSE in French and Spanish

GCSE Languages have a Foundation Tier (grades 1-5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4-9). Students must enter all four skills at the same time. 

The three overall themes are: 

  1. Identity and culture: including family relationships, free time activities, media and talking about local customs.
  2. Local, international and global areas of interest: including holidays, the environment and talking about where you live.
  3. Current and future study and employment: including talking about school, and discussing future study and job plans.


Pupils will be expected:

  • to understand and communicate  in the language using the following four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing..  Written work will also include some translation of short texts from English into the foreign language.
  • to use a variety of language across a range of contexts and for different purposes and audiences.
  • to understand different types of written and spoken language from a range of sources, including recorded input, authentic texts, literary and factual texts. (Literary texts may include poems, short stories, extracts and excerpts from articles, novels or plays.)  
  • to complete regular homework, which may be vocabulary learning or feature any of the four skills.  Homework tasks will often use electronic media.

AQA GCSE Assessment Requirements (9-1 Grades) – all four skills will be assessed in the form of separate end of course examinations

 

Assessment Objectives Weighting
AO1

Listening:

Understand and respond to different types of spoken language.

25%
AO2

Speaking:

Communicate and interact effectively in speech.

25%
AO3

Reading:

Understand and respond to different types of written language.

25%
AO4

Writing:

Communicate and interact effectively in writing.

25%

What it can lead to after leaving Swanmore College?

It is well known that continuing to study a language at a higher level can naturally fit with many subjects. This will then enable you to use all of your acquired skills to access more careers and more opportunities at home as well as abroad. 

Both French and Spanish A Level courses are offered at most local colleges, including Peter Symonds and Barton Peverill.

Looking past College, a Language GCSE would enable you to continue your studies at Degree Level. Language qualifications are also heavily sought by employers in a range of fields such as Education, Hospitality, Politics/Law, and Business. 

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