French and/or Spanish

Want to broaden your horizons, learn more about yourself and improve your career opportunities? Then studying a modern foreign language is ideal for you!

Sixth Form language studies are rather different from those at GCSE – in a good way, of course! The small class size, informal and relaxed atmosphere with an emphasis on independent learning, speaking as much French or Spanish as possible… it’s a great way to improve your skills.

What will you study and learn?

The exciting French or Spanish courses you will embark on are highly relevant to your interests and concerns. We focus on discovering how French, Spanish and South American people talk at a personal level, what they think, how they live, how their cultures work. As you develop and build on skills you learned at GCSE, you will also learn more about the mechanics of the language, like grammar and vocabulary.

We use the AQA course books, as recommended by the examination board, but much of the course is taught through a linked online resource, Kerboodle. You will be able to access Kerboodle at home, to do reading, writing, listening and interactive activities. You will watch video and film clips, read online articles and news, research topics on the Internet and in books, prepare presentations… there’s never a dull moment!

Course content and examinations

Our examination board is AQA (for more information, go to www.aqa.org.uk).

The A-level is a linear course, so students will sit their examinations at the end of the course. The topics covered are Social Issues and Trends, Political and Artistic Culture and Literary Texts and Films whilst undertaking an individual research project.

The examinations are weighted such that the listening, reading and writing paper (Paper 1) is worth 40%, the writing paper (Paper 2) is worth 30% and the speaking paper (Paper 3) is also worth 30% of the total mark.

Where could the subject take you?

You have probably heard that fewer and fewer British people study languages these days: the European Commission is currently facing a severe shortage of native English speaking interpreters and translators. Officials in Brussels say the situation is becoming so serious that they will have to resort to using more interpreters from other countries or reduce the number of meetings they can hold every day.

Whatever career path you choose, if you are able to communicate effectively in another language you will certainly be in demand when you start looking for a job. In all sorts of fields, from the travel and tourism industry to engineering, proficiency in a modern foreign language is a real advantage.