Introduction to Modern Languages

We study three Modern Languages at Burford School: French, Spanish and German. Learning a language can open up the world to you in a way that speaking English alone will not.

We aim to offer students an outstanding learning experience in all aspects of Modern Languages. We hope to enable students to reach their full potential and to guide them to develop their intercultural understanding. In addition to this learning a language is great fun.

Key Stage 3

French
In Year 7 students all study French. They will develop their writing skills by writing their own stories in French about an animal they have created.  This enables them to consolidate the work they have done at Key Stage 2. They will then develop their skills further through the medium of film and complete the year by producing a video diary of their new school.

This is then followed with further work on film and storytelling in French in Years 8 and 9 to enable students to develop further their independent skills in language learning, with particular emphasis on manipulation of the different tenses and expressing their own points of view.

German and Spanish
Students will begin a second language in Year 8. This language rotates each year. They will also continue to learn French. They will build on the skills they have learnt in French and apply these skills and adapt them to guide them in learning another language.

Key Stage 4

The WJEC GCSE course in French is syllabus 4220
The WJEC GCSE course in German is syllabus 4260
The WJEC GCSE course in Spanish is syllabus 4520

The following contexts are covered in French, German and Spanish:

•   Personal and Social Life
•   The Local Community
•   The World of Work
•   The Wider World

Students sit a final exam in reading and listening. These exams are tiered. The writing and speaking assessments are controlled assessments, which take place over the two year course.