Welcome to the Languages Department
Our Intent
The purpose of study of a modern foreign language here at Branston Community Academy is to provide an opening into other cultures. We feel that it is essential that our students build an appreciation and respect for other cultures and learn to see the world from different perspectives as they develop a better understanding of their role both as members of our school community as well as citizens of the wider world.
Through learning a language at BCA, we give students the opportunity to develop their aspirations and become competent, enthusiastic linguists with an appreciation for other cultures; who are equipped with practical language skills, allowing them to make the most of their experiences in TL countries in the future, as well as maximising their potential in a foreign language to pursue this academic study further in HE/FE and in certain careers, should they so wish.
KS3 Structure
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Self, Family | School, Free time | In a French Speaking Country |
| Year 8 French | Food and Drink, Local Area | Holidays, TV and films | Jobs and future |
| Year 8 German | Basics, Family and pets | Free time, School | Out and about |
| Year 9 French | Identity and culture- Who am I? | Identity and culture- Daily life | Identity and culture - Cultural life |
| Year 9 German | Identity and culture - leisure time | Identity and culture - Who am I? | School - What school is like; School activities |
KS4 Structure
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 10 French | Local area, holiday and travel- Town, region and country | Local area, holiday and travel- Holidays; Travel and tourist attractions | School- What school is like; School activities |
| Year 10 German | Identity and culture- Daily life | Local area, holiday and travel- Holidays; Travel and tourist attractions | Local area, holiday and travel- Holidays |
| Year 11 French | Future Aspirations, Ambitions; Using languages beyond the classroom. Mocks | International and global dimension- Bringing the world together; Environmental issues | Revision and Exams |
| Year 11 German | Future Aspirations, Ambitions; Using languages beyond the classroom. International and global dimension- Bringing the world together; Environmental issues | Revision | Exams |
The specification document for this course can be found below:
KS4 French Specification
KS4 German Specification
KS5 French Structure
| The 12 Topics | |
|---|---|
| Year 12 | 1.Family 2.New technology 3.Volunteering 4.Local heritage 5.French music 6.French cinema |
| Year 13 | 7.Diversity 8.Marginalisation 9.Crime 10.Youth and politics 11.Protests/strikes 12.Immigration |
A2 French (2 year course) AQA 7662
Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing
What's assessed
• Aspects of French-speaking society (Topics 1-3)
• Artistic culture in the French-speaking world (Topics 4-6)
• Multiculturalism in French-speaking society (Topics 7-9)
• Aspects of political life in French-speaking society (Topics 10-12)
• Grammar
• Translation into English; a passage of minimum 100 words
• Translation into French; a passage of minimum 100 words
How it's assessed
• Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
• 100 marks
• 50 % of A-level
Paper 2: Writing
What's assessed
• One text and one film or two texts from the list set in the specification
• Grammar
• Either one essay in French on a set text from a choice of two questions and one essay in French on a set film (La Haine) from a choice of two questions or two essays in French on set texts (L’étranger) from a choice of two questions on each text.
• All questions will require a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered in the work and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation, as appropriate to the work studied (e.g. the effect of narrative voice in a prose text or camera work in a film).
Students are advised to write approximately 300 words per essay
How it's assessed
• Written exam: 2 hours
• 80 marks in total
• 20 % of A-level
Paper 3: Speaking
What's assessed
• Individual research project (an analysis of an aspect of the French speaking world)
• One of four sub-themes i.e. Aspects of French-speaking society or Artistic culture in the French-speaking world or Multiculturalism in French-speaking society or Aspects of political life in French speaking society (a discussion of aspects of one of the 12 topics)
How it's assessed
• Oral exam: 21 – 23 minutes
(including 5 minutes preparation time)
• 60 marks in total
• 30 % of A-level
• Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card (5 – 6 minutes). The student studies the card for 5 minutes at the start of the test
(25 marks).
• Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9 – 10 minutes) of individual research project
(35 marks).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
To stand a good chance of success at this level, we recommend that candidates should have achieved at least a Grade 6 at GCSE.
CONTACT
Mr A.Sutcliffe/ Mrs L.Suckling
KS5 German Structure
| The 12 Topics | |
|---|---|
| Year 12 | 1.Family 2.New technology 3.Fashion/music 4.Festivals 5.Art/architecture 6.Berlin |
| Year 13 | 7.Immigration 8.Integration 9.Racism 10.Youth and politics 11.Germany and the EU 12.A reunified Germany |
A2 German – 2 years AQA 7662
Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing
What's assessed
• Aspects of German-speaking society (Topics 1-3)
• Artistic culture in the German-speaking world (Topics 4-6)
• Multiculturalism in German-speaking society (Topics 7-9)
• Aspects of political life in German-speaking society (Topics 10-12)
•Grammar
• Translation into English; a passage of minimum 100 words
• Translation into German; a passage of minimum 100 words
How it's assessed
• Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
• 100 marks
• 50 % of A-level
Paper 2: Writing
What's assessed
• One text and one film or two texts from the list set in the specification
• Grammar
• Either one essay in German on a set text (Der Besuch der alten Dame) from a choice of two questions and one essay in German on a set film (Good-bye Lenin) from a choice of two questions or two essays in German on set texts from a choice of two questions on each text.
• All questions will require a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered in the work and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation, as appropriate to the work studied (e.g. the effect of narrative voice in a prose text or camera work in a film).
Students are advised to write approximately 300 words per essay
How it's assessed
• Written exam: 2 hours
• 80 marks in total
• 20 % of A-level
Paper 3: Speaking
What's assessed
• Individual research project
• One of four sub-themes i.e. Aspects of German-speaking society or Artistic culture in the German-speaking world or Multiculturalism in German-speaking society or Aspects of political life in German speaking society.
How it's assessed
• Oral exam: 21 – 23 minutes
(including 5 minutes preparation time)
• 60 marks in total
• 30 % of A-level
• Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card (5 – 6 minutes). The student studies the card for 5 minutes at the start of the test
(25 marks).
• Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9 – 10 minutes) of individual research project
(35 marks).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
To stand a good chance of success at this level, we recommend that candidates should have achieved at least a Grade 6 at GCSE.
CONTACT
Mr A Sutcliffe/Mrs L Suckling
Extra Curricular Activities and Clubs
We encourage all students to participate in the extra-curricular programme we offer. Our clubs and activities are designed to be inclusive for all; the broad range on offer ensures that there is something for students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get involved with. We regularly review our offer to meet the ever-changing needs of our students.
The extra-curriculum clubs and activities for the current (and previous) academic term can be found by visiting the link below.
Studying a language at GCSE allows students to be able to conduct themselves in range of situations in the target language country, as well as increasing their cultural awareness of traditions and customs in countries where the language is spoken.
Taking a GCSE in a modern foreign language also allows students to continue their studies at A-level. A-level languages provide a much more in-depth knowledge of both the language and the culture, preparing students for potential further education at degree level, or ready to continue their language use in the workplace.
Recently, we have begun to offer students at A-level the possibility of taking part in a week’s work experience abroad, through Blue Stamp Travel. Students specify their areas of interest in terms of future work and they are matched to an appropriate workplace in France on Germany, depending on the language studied.
Studying a foreign language can open up many career opportunities – these are so wide-ranging they are hard to list. Careers in engineering, logistics, hospitality, finance, education are all common pathways for linguists though there are also many more avenues.