Pupils enhance their ability to communicate through the four skills with the focus on - 

• • Understanding language - Reading and Listening 

  • Using language – Talking and Writing

Pupils work independently and cooperatively. A range of digital media – web sites, computer programmes etc is used to enhance learning. The study of grammar is important and will help pupils to understand and produce the language.

Pupils sit four assessments, one in each skill, covering two different contexts. The assessments arise from the teaching and take place when appropriate. All assessments are internally administered and marked.

Reading and listening – answer questions in English

Talking – short conversation or role play

Writing – short piece in the target language or the completion of a form

Pupils plan and research a topic of their choice for the Added Value Unit, using two written sources. Ideas and language from the sources help pupils produce a presentation in the target language which will be recorded. Pupils are asked five questions about their presentation.

The course also develops broad generic skills as an integral part of the learning experience. These are - Skills for Learning, Skills for Life and Skills for Work. It also feeds into Literacy Skills in a major way. The following resources are very useful for this course: 

• • www.linguascope.com

  • www.languagesonline.org.uk

  • www.languagenut.com 

  • www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize

 A full list of useful websites can be found on the pupil shared space in the Modern Language Folder. Pupils will have been issued with these.