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
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.
Pupils at TWGGS start learning German as soon as they arrive in Year 7. We use the textbook ‘Stimmt’ throughout Years 7 and 8 and ‘Echo 2’ in Year 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 though 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 able to express themselves accurately in the past, present and future tenses.
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
Present tense verbs: regular and irregular
Modal verbs
Basic sentence structure
Word order with time phrases
School subjects, the school day, opinions
Future and past holidays
Media
Introduction to perfect tense
Introduction to cases with use of prepositions
Word order (verb in second idea)
Television and film
School trips
Healthy living
Consolidation of the perfect tense
Basic use of the imperfect tense
Future tense
Subordinating conjunctions
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 2019-2020, 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 though 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.
Saying your name, age and birthday
My house
Gender of nouns
Word order
Present tense verbs: regular and irregular including stem-changing verbs
Opinion verbs
Es vs está
Intensifiers and time references
My town
School subjects, the school day, opinions on subjects
Holidays
Technology, TV and film
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 (2019-2020)
Free time activities and household chores
Food and shopping for food
Clothes
Cultural unit on film “El libro de la Vida”
Revision of Immediate future tense
Structures: Tener que + infinitive
Soler+ infinitive
Introduction to Preterite tense- regular verbs
Preterite tense irregulars: IR, HACER, DAR
Pupils at TWGGS start learning French in Year 8. We use the textbooks “Allez 1” and “Allez 2” throughout Years 8 and 9. In the academic year 2019-2020, Year 9 pupils will continue to use “Expo 2”. 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.
Food
Clothes and weather
Word order and adjectival agreement
Present tense verbs – regular and irregular
Etre and Avoir
Partitive
Negative forms
Reflexive verbs
Near future tense
Je voudrais
(2019-2020)
Going out and clothes
Free time
Revision of Perfect tense
Revision of adjectival agreement
The partitive
Structure “il faut” and “avoir besoin de”
Comparatives and superlatives
AQA specification for GCSE German AQA specification for GCSE Spanish AQA specificaton for GCSE French There are many excellent reasons to study a foreign language at GCSE, and you can read more about them here.
The new AQA GCSE specification for each language is based around familiar, culturally relevant and engaging topics linked to the following contexts:
Identity and culture - including family, relationships, technology, leisure activities and important cultural traditions in countries speaking the target language
Local, national, international and global areas of interest - including local area, social issues, charity work, healthy living, environment, poverty and homelessness, travel and tourism
Current and future study and employment - including one’s own studies, life and school and college, education post-16, and jobs, career choices and ambitions.
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. There are many excellent reasons for why studying a particular is an excellent option; take a look at our introduction to some of these reasons by clicking on the link below.
Paper 1: Listening
When is it assessed?
Summer exam session
What is assessed?
Understanding and responding to different types of spoken language
How is it assessed?
Written exam
Foundation: 35 minutes; 40 marks
Higher: 40 minutes; 50 marks
25% of GCSE
Paper 2: Speaking
April/May of GCSE year
Communicating and interacting effectively in speech for a variety of purposes
Teacher-run. Marked externally
Foundation: 7-9 minutes; 60 marks
Higher: 10-12 minutes; 60 marks
Preparation time allowed
Paper 3: Reading
Understanding and responding to different types of written language. Short translation into English.
Foundation: 45 minutes; 60 marks
Higher: 60 minutes; 60 marks
Paper 4: Writing
Communicating effectively in writing for a variety of purposes.
Short translation into Target Language.
Foundation: 60 minutes; 60 marks
Higher: 1 hour 15 minutes; 60 marks
Edexcel 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 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 Development in Germany
Theme 2: Political and Artistic Culture in German Speaking Countries
Theme 3: Immigration and the German Multicultural Society
Theme 4: The Reunification of Germany
Paper 1
Listening, reading and translation into English
Written Exam
40% of A Level
This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all four themes.
Paper 2
Written response to works and translation into German written exam
30% of A Level
Pupils will undertake the in-depth study of one film and one literary text, including a translation exercise and two essays.
Paper 3
Speaking – internally conducted and externally assessed
Task 1 (discussion on a theme) Pupils discuss one theme from the specification based on a stimulus containing two different statements.
Task 2 (presentation and discussion on independent research) Pupils present a summary of the key findings of written sources used for their research, answer questions and have a wider discussion.
*Also offered as an AS Level, spaces permitting.
Edexcel 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: The evolution of Spanish society
Theme 2: Political and artistic culture in the Spanish-speaking world
Theme 3: Immigration and Spain’s multicultural society
Theme 4: Franco’s dictatorship and the transition to democracy
Written response to works and translation into Spanish written exam
Edexcel 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.
Theme 1: The Evolution of French Society
Theme 2: Political and Artistic Culture in the French-Speaking World
Theme 3: Immigration and France’s Multicultural Society
Theme 4: L’Occupation et la Résistance
Written response to works and translation into French written exam
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