"success at all levels" OFSTED

Modern Foreign Languages Department

Introduction

Bienvenue! Willkommen! Benvenuti! iBievenidos!

The learning of languages has always played an important role at The Downs School. We are delighted that the school is a specialist language college. This is allows us to develop an international dimension to the school and broaden the experience of many of our students. Many trips are organised annually and many students have continued to study languages in Higher Education.

Languages Offered

All students learn French in Year 7, as well as having a lesson a week in Mandarin, and in addition all students learn German or Spanish from Year 8. All students now have the opportunity to study Japanese or Mandarin as an extra-curricular activity. Russian is also offered as a languages lunchtime club once a week and as an enrichment activity in the 6th Form.

In Key Stage 4 all students continue to study a language. Students choose to continue with French and German or Spanish or just one of the two languages they have studied at Key Stage 3. All three languages are offered at A level. Japanese is offered as an extra language. In 2005 we had our first GCSE entries and 2006 saw our first entries at 'AS' level. One student spent a year in Japan as part of his gap year before going to university.

A selection of images from our exchange visits and other international activities:

 

GCSE

Course Aims

• Development of understanding of the spoken and written forms of the language in a range of contexts
• Development of the ability to communicate effectively in the language
• Development of the ability to understand the grammar of the language
• Development of the understanding and use of the culture of the language in a variety of contexts
• Development of positive attitudes towards the learning of modern foreign languages
• Provision of a suitable foundation for further study and practical study of the language(s)

Entry requirements

Students on this course are expected to have shown an interest in the learning of languages and a commitment to hard work.

Assessment

Listening - 20%
Speaking - 30%
Reading - 20%
Writing - 30%

German and Spanish may be studied in afterschool classes.

AS level languages (French, German, Spanish)

AS outline

The AS course will cover:

• Media: TV, advertising and communication technology
• Popular culture: cinema, music and fashion/ trends
• Healthy living/lifestyle: /exercise, health and well-being and holidays
• Family/relationships: relationships within the family, friendships and marriage/partnerships.

The AS specification has 2 units:

Unit 1: Listening, Reading and Writing
Assessment

Externally Examined
Written Paper:	2 hours
Weighting:	70% of total AS/ 35% of total A Level marks

Listening, Reading and Writing.
Candidates will answer a range of questions based on approximately 5 minutes of heard material and on a selection of written stimulus texts. They will also respond in writing to a question based on one of the AS topics.

Unit 2: Speaking Test
Assessment

Speaking Test:	35 minutes (including 20 minutes preparation time)
Weighting:	30% of total AS/15% of total A Level marks

Speaking.
Candidates will discuss a target-language stimulus card based on one of the AS topics and take part in a conversation covering three further AS topics.

Careers and Higher Education Opportunities

Languages at whatever level are looked on favourably by universities. Students may take a multitude of university courses with a language. Many ex-students have used their languages on their course or have had to re-start a language because of course demands. A language is especially useful in careers in travel and tourism, leisure, business and many others. Many businesses prioritise a language learner in their selection criteria.
All these languages can be continued as extracurricular activities.