Modern Foreign Languages

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At TWGGS we believe languages are a skill for life and we are passionate about the benefits that learning a language can bring. The learning of different languages is key to allowing pupils to open up to other cultures and gain an understanding of them; they are able to experience and appreciate the riches unique to each language, while learning a number of languages allows pupils to appreciate the common features between them. Language lessons at TWGGS are fast-paced, engaging and fun, and pupils feel confident participating in lessons.

Throughout Key Stage 3, we cover a range of topics based on pupils’ daily lives and tourist situations. Pupils are encouraged to find their preferred method of learning vocabulary and to develop their comprehension skills in listening and reading. Pupils also consolidate core competences in grammatical knowledge with a focus on translation to and from the target language, given the increased focus on this skill in the new GCSE. They also develop their speaking skills so that they can respond spontaneously in everyday situations, preparing them well for their future as well as for the requirements of the new GCSE oral examinations. During language lessons, pupils have an opportunity to learn about cultural components such as geography, history, film, customs and traditions, which bring languages to life.

 

Year 7

German and Spanish

In Year 7, all pupils start learning German and Spanish and have 3 hours per fortnight in each subject. The main aim of this year is to understand the principles of basic grammar and ensure pupils understand the basic rules of phonetics in both languages as well as starting to get used to learning vocabulary.

 

Year 8

German, Spanish and French

Pupils continue to study German and Spanish for 3 hours a fortnight respectively as well as French for 4 hours per fortnight.

 

Year 9

German, Spanish and French

The study of all three languages continues in Year 9, with 3 hours of lessons per fortnight in each language.

 

Having had the opportunity to study three of the main European languages, TWGGS pupils are able to make an informed decision about which languages they would like to continue at GCSE. The Modern Foreign Language department offers GCSE courses in French, German and Spanish. Pupils are required to study one foreign language as a core subject and may also opt to study a second one. We like to encourage all pupils achieving good results at Key Stage 3 to consider how beneficial it will be for them to carry on studying two languages at GCSE. The department has a history of very good GCSE results and TWGGS pupils enjoy the lively, dynamic and engaging language lessons.

 

Key Stage 3 German

Pupils at TWGGS start learning German as soon as they arrive in Year 7. We use the textbook ‘Stimmt’ throughout Years 7, 8 and 9. The majority of pupils in Year 7 are beginners to German; for those with previous knowledge we provide additional challenges depending on their level. There is a clear focus on acquisition of vocabulary and new words and phrases are practised through games and songs. Basic grammar is taught so that pupils are able to form their own sentences and, by the end of Year 9, they should be able to express themselves accurately in the past, present and future tenses

Year 7

Topics

Colours, numbers, days of the week and months

Myself and my family and pets

Describing people and giving opinions

Sports and hobbies

 

Grammar

Genders of nouns; plurals

Present tense verbs: regular and irregular

Modal verbs

Basic sentence structure

Word order with time phrases

 

Year 8

Topics

School subjects, the school day, opinions

Future and past holidays

The weather

Media

 

Grammar

Introduction to perfect tense with regular and irregular verbs; focus on use of auxiliary verbs

Introduction to cases with use of prepositions

Word order (verb in second idea)

Subordinating conjunctions

Year 9

Topics

Television and Film
 
School Trips
 
Festivals
 
Food and Healthy Living
 
Fashion
 
Daily Routine
 
Going on a date
 

Grammar

Consolidation of the perfect tense

Basic use of the imperfect tense

Future Tense

Subordinating conjunctions at the start of sentences

Infinitive clauses

Comparative and superlatives

The imperative

Reflexive and separable verbs

Adjective endings

 

Key Stage 3 Spanish

Pupils at TWGGS start learning Spanish as soon as they arrive in Year 7. We use the textbooks “Claro 1” and “Claro 2” throughout Years 7 and 8. In the academic year 2021-2022, Year 9 pupils will continue to use “Listos 2”. The majority of pupils in Year 7 are beginners to Spanish; for those with previous knowledge we provide additional challenges depending on their level. There is a clear focus on acquisition of vocabulary and new words and phrases are practised through games and songs. Basic grammar is taught so that pupils are able to form their own sentences and, by the end of Year 9, they should be able to express themselves accurately in the past, present and future tenses.

Year 7

Topics

Colours, numbers, days of the week and months

Saying your name, age and birthday

Myself and my family and pets

Describing people and giving opinions

Sports and hobbies

My house

 

Grammar

Gender of nouns

Word order

Present tense verbs: regular and irregular including stem-changing verbs

Opinion verbs

Es vs está

Basic sentence structure

Intensifiers and time references

 

Year 8

Topics

My town

School subjects, the school day, opinions on subjects

Healthy living

Holidays

Technology, TV and film

 

Grammar

Verb structure: ‘hay’ (there is/there are)

Immediate future tense

Impersonal: se puede, se debe

Introduction to Preterite tense: regular verbs and verb IR

 

Year 9 

Topics

Holidays

Technology

TV and Film

Fashion and Shopping

My daily routine

Grammar

Preterite Tense most common irregular verbs
 
Present Continuous Tense
 
Direct Object Pronouns

Demonstrative adjectives

Simple Future with regular verbs

Conditional with regular verbs

 

Key Stage 3 French

Pupils at TWGGS start learning French in Year 8. We use the textbook “Allez 1” throughout Years 8 and 9. The majority of pupils in Year 8 will have had some exposure to French during primary school; for those with previous knowledge we provide additional challenges depending on their level. There is a focus on acquiring basic vocabulary and key grammar, which provide a solid basis for their future studies of the language, or languages, of their choice. By the end of Year 9, pupils should be able to express themselves accurately in the past, present and future tenses.

Year 8

Topics

Colours, numbers, days of the week and months

Describing objects

Saying your name, age and birthday

Myself and my family and pets

Describing people and giving opinions

School subjects 

Food

My town and my area

Directions

Grammar

Gender of nouns

Word order and adjectival agreement

Present tense verbs – regular and irregular 

Etre and Avoir

Possessive adjectives

Partitive 

Negative forms

Reflexive verbs

Near future tense 

Je voudrais / j’avais / c’était

Modal verbs

Year 9

Topics

Weather

Going out and clothes

Holidays

Festivals

Free time, Sport and Hobbies

Body parts and aches

My daily routine

Telling time

French-speaking countries

Grammar

Perfect tense with avoir and être

Revision of adjectival agreement

The partitive

Structure “il faut” and “avoir besoin de”

Comparatives and superlatives

Revision and further practice of all 3 time frames

Expressions using avoir

Depuis + present tense

GCSE German, Spanish and French

There are many excellent reasons to study a foreign language at GCSE, and you can read more about them here.

Please note, the AQA course is changing from September 2024 for Year 10 pupils. The following specifications are those for current Year 11 pupils, who will finish their GCSE course in Summer 2025:

AQA specification for GCSE German AQA specification for GCSE Spanish AQA specification for GCSE French

 

Below are the new specifications for Year 10, which replace those above, for first examination in Summer 2026:

*NEW* AQA specification for GCSE German *NEW* AQA specification for GCSE Spanish *NEW* AQA specification for GCSE French

The new AQA GCSE specification for each language is based around familiar, culturally relevant and engaging topics linked to the following contexts:

Theme 1: People and Lifestyle

Topic 1 - Identity and relationships with others

Topic 2 - Healthy living and lifestyle

Topic 3 - Education and work 

Theme 2: Popular Culture

Topic 1 - Free-time activities

Topic 2 - Customs, festivals and celebrations

Topic 3 - Celebrity culture

Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

Topic 1 - Travel and tourism, including places of interest

Topic 2 - Media and technology

Topic 3 - The environment and where people live

Pupils are externally assessed at the end of the course in examinations in all four skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. Each skill carries 25% of the marks. Translation to and from the target language is also assessed in the new qualification, and short (suitably adapted) literary passages from authentic target language texts are included in reading comprehension.

A very good GCSE language qualification is highly regarded by many universities and employers. There are many opportunities for studying a language at university, either on its own or as a complement to virtually any other subject. Universities recognise that communication skills in a foreign language are a huge asset for a large number of careers, including journalism, politics, law, science, engineering, business and the tourism industry.

A Level German

Eduqas specification for A Level German

Many 21st century jobs are international jobs and German is a very sought after business language. One of the aims of the A Level is to provide an opportunity for pupils to broaden their studies and to acquire the different skills required by many employers. Studying German in the Sixth Form helps to develop communication skills, teamwork and independence. Many of the pupils at TWGGS go on to spend part of their education and/or career in other European states. A sound knowledge of one or several languages is increasingly important for their future. Whatever choice of career pupils wish to embark upon, be it in the travel industry, media, business, working for an international organisation or in banking, the study of German in particular at A Level, will enhance their prospects. 

Teaching is shared by a teacher at The Skinners’ School and a TWGGS teacher, who use a variety of techniques and also encourage pupils to become independent learners and develop habits of listening and reading authentic resources. We aim to provide an additional conversation lesson with a native speaker to further develop their speaking skills.

Theme 1: Social Issues and Trends: Being a young person in German-speaking society

  • Families and citizenship: Changing family structures; the changing nature of marriage and partnership; being a good citizen.
  • Youth trends and personal identity: Trends in fashion; how young people respond to modern technology; relationships with others and peer pressure.
  • Education and employment opportunities: The education system and student issues; work and travel opportunities and the changing work scene.

 

Theme 2: Political, Intellectual and Artistic Culture: Understanding the German-speaking world

  • Regional culture and heritage in Germany, German-speaking countries and communities: Festivals; customs and traditions; historical sites; museums and galleries.

 

Theme 3: Diversity and Difference

  • Migration and integrationReasons for migration; factors which make migration/integration easy/difficult  

  • Cultural identity and marginalisation: Reasons for marginalisation; ways to eliminate marginalisation  

  • Cultural enrichment and celebrating difference: The positive aspects of a diverse society 

  • Discrimination and diversity: Life for those who are discriminated against

Theme 4: The Making of Modern Germany: 1989 onwards
  • Initial and subsequent process of reunification: Social and political challenges linked to reunification; the events of autumn 1989.
  • Social cohesion in present-day Germany: Social and community challenges facing contemporary Germany.
  • The economic impact of a united Germany: The economic advantages and challenges linked to reunification.

 

Component 1

Speaking

30% of A Level

Task 1 (presentation and discussion on independent research project)

Pupils present a summary of the key findings of written sources used for their research, answer questions and have a wider discussion.

Task 2 (Theme-based discussion)

Pupils take part in a discussion based on a stimulus card comprising an image, a short text and a point for consideration. 

This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes.

Component 2

Listening, Reading and Translation

50% of A Level

This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes.

Component 3

Critical and analytical response in writing

30% of A Level

Pupils will undertake the in-depth study of one film and one literary text and will write two essays of approximately 300 words each.

 

*Also offered as an AS Level, spaces permitting.

A Level Spanish

Eduqas specification for A Level Spanish

Studying Spanish in the Sixth Form helps to develop communication skills, teamwork and independence. The specification is designed to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills specified for GCSE. Many of the pupils at TWGGS go on to spend part of their education and/or career in Spain or Latin American countries. A sound knowledge of one or several languages is increasingly important for whatever choice of career pupils wish to embark upon. Be it in the travel industry, media, business, working for an international organisation or in banking, the study of languages, at A Level, will enhance their prospects.

Teaching is usually shared by two members of staff in each year group, who use a variety of techniques and also encourage pupils to become independent learners and develop habits of listening and reading authentic resources. We aim to provide an additional conversation lesson with a native speaker to further develop their speaking skills.

Theme 1: Social Issues and Trends: Being a young person in Spanish-speaking society

  • Families and citizenship: Changing family structures; the changing nature of marriage and partnership; being a good citizen  

  • Youth trends and personal identity: Trends in fashion; how young people respond to modern technology; relationships with others and peer pressure  

  • Education and employment opportunities: The education system and student issues; work and travel opportunities and the changing work scene 

 

Theme 2: Political, Intellectual and Artistic Culture: Understanding the Spanish-speaking world  

  • Regional culture and heritage in Spain, Spanish-speaking countries and communities: Festivals; customs and traditions; historical sites; museums and galleries 

  • Media, art, film and music in the Spanish-speaking world: Trends in media and art; film and music in the lives of young people 

Theme 3: Diversity and difference

  • Migration and integration: Reasons for migration; factors which make migration/integration easy/difficult  

  • Cultural identity and marginalisation: Reasons for marginalisation; ways to eliminate marginalisation  

  • Cultural enrichment and celebrating difference: The positive aspects of a diverse society 

  • Discrimination and diversity: Life for those who are discriminated against

Theme 4: The Two Spains: 1936 onwards 

  • El franquismo: Origins, development and consequences  

  • Post-Civil War Spain – historical and political repercussions: Control, repression and daily life in Franco's Spain  

  • Spain – coming to terms with the past?: "Recuperación de la memoria histórica"; attempts to deal with the past; 'los desaparecidos'; removing the symbols of Franco's Spain

 

Component 1

Speaking

30% of A Level

Task 1 (presentation and discussion on independent research project)

Pupils present a summary of the key findings of written sources used for their research, answer questions and have a wider discussion.

Task 2 (Theme-based discussion)

Pupils take part in a discussion based on a stimulus card comprising an image, a short text and a point for consideration

This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes.

Component 2

Listening, Reading and Translation 

50% of A Level

This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes.

Component 3

Critical and analytical response in writing

30% of A Level

Pupils will undertake the in-depth study of one film and one literary text and will write two essays of approximately 300 words each.

*Also offered as an AS Level, spaces permitting.

A Level French

Eduqas specification for A Level French

Studying French in the Sixth Form helps to develop a high level of communication and comprehension skills, together with an awareness of various aspects of society in the countries where the language is spoken. It also promotes teamwork and independence and provides a suitable foundation for the study of the subject in higher education or provides direct entry into employment. Whatever choice of career pupils wish to embark upon, the study of French at A Level will enhance their prospects. 

Teaching is usually shared by two members of staff in each year group, who use a variety of techniques and also encourage pupils to become independent learners and develop habits of listening and reading authentic resources. We aim to provide an additional conversation lesson with a native speaker to further develop their speaking skills.

Theme 1: Social Issues and Trends: Being a young person in French-speaking society

  • Families and citizenship: Changing family structures; the changing nature of marriage and partnership; being a good citizen  

  • Youth trends and personal identity: Trends in fashion; how young people respond to modern technology; relationships with others and peer pressure  

  • Education and employment opportunities: The education system and student issues; work and travel opportunities and the changing work scene 

 

Theme 2: Political, intellectual and artistic culture: Understanding the French-speaking world  

  • Regional culture and heritage in France, French-speaking countries and communities: Festivals; customs and traditions; historical sites; museums and galleries 

  • Media, art, film and music in the French-speaking world: Trends in media and art; film and music in the lives of young people 

Theme 3: Diversity and difference

  • Migration and integration: Reasons for migration; factors which make migration/integration easy/difficult  

  • Cultural identity and marginalisation: Reasons for marginalisation; ways to eliminate marginalisation  

  • Cultural enrichment and celebrating difference: The positive aspects of a diverse society 

  • Discrimination and diversity: Life for those who are discriminated against

Theme 4: France 1940-1950: The Occupation and post-war years 

  • June 1940–May 1945: Life in occupied France; the French Resistance  

  • The cultural dimension in occupied France: The political context of theatre and cinema productions  

  • 1945-1950: Rebuilding and restructuring society in post-war years

 

Component 1

Speaking

30% of A Level

Task 1 (presentation and discussion on independent research project)

Pupils present a summary of the key findings of written sources used for their research, answer questions and have a wider discussion.

Task 2 (Theme-based discussion)

Pupils take part in a discussion based on a stimulus card comprising an image, a short text and a point for consideration.

 

This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes.

Component 2

Listening, Reading and Translation 

50% of A Level

This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes.

Component 3

Critical and analytical response in writing

30% of A Level

Pupils will undertake the in-depth study of one film and one literary text and will write two essays of approximately 300 words each.

*Also offered as an AS Level, spaces permitting.

Subject Documents Date  
Why study Modern Foreign Languages.pdf 18th Jul 2019 Download
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