Modern Languages

French                                                                          Edexcel              1FR1

German                                                                        Edexcel              1GN1

Spanish                                                                        Edexcel              1SP1 

Why study Modern Languages?

• Languages broaden your horizons and open up a whole new world of opportunity.

• There are over 5000 degree courses in the UK which involve the study of languages.  You can study languages combined with hundreds of other subjects such as Law, Economics, Engineering, History, Finance, Media, Broadcasting, Biology etc.

Learning languages helps you to become a more confident communicator. You can experiment with new words and phrases is both fun and challenging. Whether or not you intend to specialise in this area, knowledge of one or more languages:

• Enhances your job prospects – almost all jobs can be enhanced by the ability to speak a different language.  Employers are crying out for graduates with language skills.

• Helps your university application – universities are looking for students with a wide range of transferable skills.  Languages are the ultimate in facilitating subjects.

• Makes it possible to study abroad in a non-English speaking country without the exorbitant university fees – study Sociology in Spain, Physics in France or Geography in Germany!  More and more universities also offer a year abroad as part of non-language degrees.

• Helps if you plan to travel the world either in a gap year or later.

Everyone takes at least one language to GCSE but why not think about taking two languages at Key Stage 4?  That way, you are leaving lots of options open when you have to make your Sixth Form choices.  Obviously, we would recommend the options that lead to two language GCSEs to anyone who really enjoys their language lessons.  In order to do a language at A Level, you have to do it at GCSE. The only exceptions to this might be girls who are native speakers. Speak to your teachers for details.

French, German and Spanish require the language to have been studied at KS3.  If you speak a language at home which isn’t taught as part of our curriculum, we will try to make it possible for you to take exams in the language here if you so wish, although not as a replacement for our language options.

How are the GCSE courses in French, German and Spanish organised?

Thematic content

1. My personal world - Family, friends and relationships.

2. Lifestyle and wellbeing - Equality, physical/mental wellbeing, food & drink, sport.

3. My neighbourhood - Places in town, shopping, natural world, environment.

4. Media and technology - Music, TV, film, social media & gaming.

5. Studying and my future - School, future opportunities.

6. Travel and tourism - Tourist attractions, accommodation, transport. 

You have already studied aspects of most of these in your language lessons at Key Stage 3.  You will use an online course book and will make use of the various subscriptions we have available.

How is it assessed?

There is no coursework; all of the exams are at the end of the two year period.  Speaking exams will be conducted by your teacher towards the end of the course, and then sent away for marking.

The GCSEs for all 3 languages are new from September 2024.  The new courses have been made more accessible for students.  Some of the topics are new but the major changes are as follows:

1. Entire course based around 1700 items of vocabulary - many of which you have done at Key Stage 3.

2. Any other vocabulary you might use is counted but not required.

3. All questions on Reading, Listening and Writing exams are in English.

4. All answers on Reading and Listening exams are multiple choice or in English.

5. Any new vocabulary necessary for a reading text will be in a glossary on the exam paper.

6. Each listening excerpt will now be played 3 times instead of 2.

7. Instructions for role plays in the oral are now in English.

8. Role plays come from a set list and are all transactional in nature.

9. Students get to choose the topic for one section of the oral.

10. Choice of questions for the writing exam.

Other Information           

We run exchanges with partner schools in France, Spain and Germany.  As well as having a great time, you will come back speaking much more fluently and with increased confidence.

How can I find out more?

See Mr Baird (Head of MFL), Mrs Aston (Head of French), Mrs Medley (Head of Spanish), your languages teacher or the Language Subject Ambassadors. Have a look at the Edexcel website where you will find the specifications.