Modern Foreign Languages At High Storrs School

I’m glad I chose A-Level French. I was worried at first because I hadn’t done it for 2 years, but it came back quickly. When I went to France this summer I really loved talking to people about a wide range of topics. Katherine French is good fun and it broadens your horizons. Thomas

An A-level language can be used in conjunction with any other subjects, offering a great range of possibilities beyond KS5. It also broadens your repertoire of skills and background understanding of the world. Alistair I was very worried about the speaking test, but it wasn’t so bad in the end and I got an A! Lydia

It’s the only one of my A-levels where I’m learning skills that I can imagine still using in the future. It’s such a brilliant thing to be able to do. Jacob I find it really rewarding. When I went to Paris last week, I was able to say so much more than I could last year and I felt I could communicate properly. Sarah

 We are part of the European Union, in which we can live, work or study in any one of 27 countries.

A language can be studied:  by itself, e.g. single honours French.  with a new language too e.g. French with Japanese.  alongside another subject, e.g. International Business with German.

In the world of work, language skills are important in organisations and businesses who want to remain competitive on an international level. Languages Work

Not just a teacher, translator or interpreter It can mean working in one of many industries, in which your languages, combined with expertise in another field, can really help you to get on.

Languages help us build friendships with people across the globe, and understand and experience different cultures in a way that enriches our own lives, too. Culturally...

 Build on language learnt at GCSE.  Enhance university and employment prospects.  Gain an insight into other cultures.  Facilitate foreign travel.

 Languages open up travel opportunities, the chance to study or live abroad and, ultimately, allow us to experience things that speaking English alone we simply wouldn’t be capable of.

 Grade B or above at GCSE.

In Y12AS Unit 1Listening, Reading and Writing Exam Unit 2Speaking Test In Y13A2 Unit 3Listening, Reading and Writing Exam Unit 4Speaking Test No Coursework / Controlled Assessments

 Media:  Popular culture:  Healthy living/lifestyle:  Family/relationships:

Listening, Reading and Writing Exam 2 hours (70% of AS) - You control the listening CD! - Question types are similar to Higher level GCSE - There is a choice of essay titles.

 30% of AS  20 minutes preparation time  15 minutes speaking test  More “grown up” discussion about themes you’ve studied.  Similar to a “real” discussion! – not just pre- learnt material.

 Environment:  The multi-cultural society:  Contemporary social issues:  and 2 Cultural topics: e.g. Study of film, book or play; research into a period of history or geographical region.

Listening, Reading and Writing Exam 2 h 30 Exam (35% of total A Level marks) Listening questions. Text analysis. Translations Essay about 1 cultural topic.

 15% of A Level marks  Presentation of argument and debate.  Discussion of both cultural topics studied.

AS level Urdu: Unit 1: Spoken expression and response 8-10 mins.in two sections; Externally assessed: 30% of the total AS marks, 15% of the GCE marks. Test student’s ability to converse in Urdu on a general topic from the following; · Youth culture and concerns · Lifestyle · Health and Fitness · The world around us · Education and Employment Section A: Requires students to respond to Edexcel set questions Section B: Teacher to engage student in discussion

Unit 2: Understanding and written responses 2 hours 30 mins paper in 3 sections: 70% of the total AS, 35% of the GCE marks Section A: Requires students to listen to a range of authentic recorded Urdu material and to retrieve and convey information given in the recording. Section B: Requires students to read Urdu printed material and to retrieve and convey information by responding to a range of mainly Urdu language test types. Section C: To write words in the form of a letter, report or article in Urdu ……

A2 Level Urdu: Unit 3: Understanding and spoken response mins: controversial topic. Taking a stance, defending and justifying it for 4 minutes followed by additional 2 topics

Unit 4: Understanding and written response. 65% of the total A2 marks: 35% of the total GCE marks 2 hour 30 minute paper in 3 sections General topic areas for this unit: · Youth culture and concerns · Life Style: Health and Fitness · The world around us: Travel, Tourism, environmental issues and the Urdu speaking world · Education and Employment · Customs, traditions, belief and religions · National and International events (Past, Present and Future) · Literature and the arts Section A: A short translation from English to Urdu Section B: An Urdu language essay (discursive or creative writing) Section C: A research based essay in Urdu. For further details, contact the Urdu teacher at High Storrs school