Languages

Year 9

Students entering Year 9 normally study either French or Spanish as their core foreign language, unless they require support for learning or additional help with English.  Most students arrive with a basic knowledge of French, although some have never studied this before, and little or no knowledge of Spanish.  All levels are catered for.  In the core languages, setting is by ability, which is constantly reviewed by staff.

At present the French course used is based around the OUP textbook, “Equipe”, and the Spanish around “Listos” (Heineman).  Both of these course books are supplemented by worksheets and oral, listening and reading activities from a variety of other sources.  The German course used is Klassentreffen.

Students in Year 9 also study a second language from French, Latin, German or Spanish, unless support for learning or additional help with English is required.  Guidance may be offered by the Director of Curriculum or the Head of Languages. 

All courses put great emphasis on the four skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.  New concepts are usually introduced orally before written work is attempted.  Information Technology is being used increasingly in the production of written work, and as a means of presenting new grammar and vocabulary in a different way.

Years 10 and 11

French [EDEXCEL] : 4655

Those students who have studied French as their core foreign language  continue to the GCSE examination at the end of Year 11. In addition, students can choose to continue German, Spanish or Latin, having already opted for the language in Year 9.

The modern language courses place great emphasis on speaking the foreign language and on comprehension skills, as well as being able to communicate through writing. 

The GCSE examination tests the four skills of listening, reading comprehension, speaking and writing, listening acounts for 20%, reading 20%, speaking 30% and writing 30% of the final grade.  Candidates are required to sit terminal exams at Foundation or Higher level according to their ability, in listening and reading.  There are two levels - Foundation, at which a student can achieve grades G to C - and Higher, at which a student can achieve D to A*.  Questions and answers are in a mixture of English and the Target Language and students are not allowed dictionaries in any paper except for help in the production of writing tasks.

Speaking is assessed internally.  Students have the opportunity to complete several tasks on different topic areas and their teacher submits the best two for moderation by the exam board.  Several written tasks are also prepared and then completed under controlled conditions.  The best two are submitted for marking.

The contexts are:

Lifestyle-health, Relationships and choices
Leisure-Free Time and the Media, Holidays
Home and Enviornment-Home and Local Area,
Environment
Work and Education - School/College and Future Plans
Current and Future Jobs.

The purpose is to teach students how to cope with areas of unpredictability, to discuss issues, to provide information and to feel comfortable expressing thier opinions.  They should develop an understanding of these contexts as they relate to their experiences but also in relation to those of people in countries where the target language is spoken.

Spanish [EDEXCEL]: 1246

Those students who have studied Spanish as their core foreign language continue to the GCSE examination at the end of Year 11. Students can also choose to continue German, French or Latin, having already opted for the language in Year 9.

All modern language courses are of the same format. Please see under French in the core subjects. Note that in Spanish, all students undertake the coursework option.

It is NOT normally possible to begin Spanish from scratch for those entering Gordonstoun in year 10.

A Second Modern Language

Students may choose a second modern language as one of their options.  The choice is from:

German  EDEXCEL:  1231
French    EDEXCEL : 1226
Spanish  EDEXCEL : 1246

Previous experience is required for these option subjects.

All modern language courses are of the same format and details are provided under the core language.

Classroom teaching in modern languages focuses on the skills of listening and reading comprehension, speaking and writing.

Sixth Form

French, German and Spanish [EDEXCEL]

• AS level: units 1 to 3, normally completed at the end of
  Year 12.
• A2 level: units 4 to 6, normally completed at the end of
  Year 13.

Students often find it helpful to re-sit AS units in Year 13 in order to improve their marks.

The course is set up as follows:

Current developments in Modern Languages suggest that this coursework option may soon be phased out, which may entail other changes to the syllabus in the near future.

Great emphasis is still placed on oral work and personal research. Students choose their own topics for units 3, 4 and 5, (guided by the staff) so that they can pursue subjects of particular interest to them. They will, therefore, finish the course with a high degree of competency in the spoken language and will be well-prepared for the sort of investigative personal work which they will have to do at university.

Students will gain an insight into the life and culture of the country concerned through reading, broadcasts, TV and videos and contact with native speakers. Every encouragement is given to seniors to have a reasonably lengthy stay in the country concerned and advice can be given on individual exchanges in France, Germany and Spain. A joint French / Art History trip is arranged to Paris at the end of the Spring term of Year 12.

Students will normally be expected to have a Grade B or above at GCSE or a Grade 1 at Standard Grade, in order to cope with the demands of the A level courses.

Please note that French is available as an AS course only, beginning in Year 12 (with 4 periods allocated) and extending into Year 13. This allows students four terms in which to cover the work for units 1 to 3. They sit the Christmas diet of examinations.

Staff:

Head of Department
Mrs K L Maltman,
MA Aberdeen
(French)

Teachers

Mrs A Beaumont, BA London, (French and Spanish)

Mrs C M Broad, BA Witwatersand (French)

Mr I S Fraser, MA Aberdeen (Spanish)

Ms K Gibson, MA Aberdeen, CELTA (French)

Mr S J Kirkwood, MA Oxford, LLCM (Classics)

Mrs D J Lawson-Johnston,
BA Newcastle (Classics)

Mrs S Meichan, MA Aberdeen, (German and French)

Mrs M Pereira Gill, BA Barcelona, (Spanish)