Languages

The members of the Modern Language Department aim to provide each individual pupil with a unique learning experience in order to develop their communicative skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through stimulating, enjoyable interactive activities in French.

To assist us in our work we have two modern language rooms which are well equipped with the latest technology; interactive whiteboards, projectors, stand-alone computers, fantastic software, digital voice recorders, high quality listening equipment, individual interactive handsets for electronically recording their assessments and small whiteboards for every pupil. Our lessons are fully designed to engage our learners by matching tasks to their natural ability and preferred learning styles.

Subject Leader – Mrs J. Redmond
Subject Teacher –  Mrs R. Kelly

Overview

Pupils currently in Year 8 are the first to be given the opportunity to study 2 Modern Languages at Ulidia.  French and Spanish are both offered to pupils in years 8.  Pupils will begin with French using Accès Studio because the on-screen pupil book and innovative, interactive activities are the perfect way to introduce our pupils to French. Topics covered include:
• France
• Self, family and others
• Pets
• Hobbies
• At School
• Where I live

In February of year 8, pupils will begin learning Spanish, following the same themes as listed above.  The scheme of assessment will cover all skill areas of Listening, Speaking , Reading and Writing and these will be equally balanced across both languages.

In year 9 pupils currently study French using Studio 1, the follow-on book from Accès Studio. This course also has an on-screen pupil book with super, interactive lessons and many interesting and informative video clips in French which give our pupils an authentic insight into life in France. Topics covered include:
• Self, family and others
• At school
• Pastimes
• My local area
• On holiday

In year 10 pupils use the well-loved Métro 3 course. Topics covered include:
• France
• Exchange visits
• Where I live
• Healthy Living
• Household Chores
• Pocket money
• Shopping
• In town
• Teenage Life
• In the news

All pupils at KS3 have work booklets to support their learning and access to Fronter and www.linguascope.com, a wonderful interactive website for language learner of all ages. Where possible we will take advantage of local events and competitions relating to MFL such as the annual Opportunity Europe events.

Assessment throughout the year
There are 4 assessments throughout the year: October, December, February, April and an end-of- year summative assessment in May – 5 in total.

Homework
All pupils follow a homework rota and have two set homeworks over the two-week cycle, in addition to this all pupils are encouraged to study their vocabulary on a regular, on-going basis.

Overview

French is studied in years 11 and 12. Pupils have 5 hours of contact time over two weeks. They are entered for  full course GCSE French with the Northern Ireland exam board CCEA

Assessment throughout the course
There are 4 internal Controlled Assessments: 2 in speaking and 2 in writing which are staggered throughout Years 11 and 12 and 2 external Assessments: 1 in reading and 1 in listening which are taken in June in Year 12

Full course
Unit 1: Listening
• External exam, 20% of total mark
• Range of question types based on pre-recorded spoken material in French
• Student may enter either:
Foundation Tier (C–G)
Higher Tier (A*–D)

Unit 2: Reading
• External exam, 20% of total mark
• Range of question types based on written material in French
• Student may enter either:
Foundation Tier (C–G)
Higher Tier (A*–D)

Unit 3: Speaking
• Controlled assessment
• 60 marks: 30% of total mark
• Marks for two tasks submitted for moderation (recording for one task submitted for moderation)
• each task lasts 4–6 min

Unit 4: Writing
• Controlled assessment
• 60 marks: 30% of total mark
• Two tasks submitted for marking
• final stage of each task occurs in one single session of no longer than 1 hour
• Word guidance: 200–350 words (D–G) or 400–600 words (A*–C) across both tasks

 Controlled assessment (with dates / timings)
1st Controlled Assessment (Writing) in June of year 11
2nd Controlled Assessment (Writing ) in October of year 12
1st Controlled Assessment (Speaking) in January of year 12
2nd Controlled Assessment (Speaking) in April of year 12

All of these websites will help our KS4 pupils revise what they need for the Listening and Reading exams.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ Excellent website provided by the BBC, organized by skill (e.g. Reading or Listening) and then by topic

http://www.wildfrench.co.uk/GCSEPapers/paperslist.htm Edexcel French GCSE Past Papers (the topics are very similar to AQA)

http://www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk/curriculum/modlang/ A Surrey secondary school’s website with games and listening activities. Try the interactive quizzes.

http://www.targetlanguage.co.uk/ French: GCSE practice with verbs, exam rubrics and topics, dictionary and information from the different exam boards is also available from the site.

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/haberg/index.htm French GCSE practice by topics: crosswords, multiple choices …