Knowledge of a Modern Foreign Language is invaluable for a wide range of careers and in the future may become an entry requirement for some of the top universities. As reported in The Times (January 2011), University College London has already made a modern language GCSE a requirement of entry to all its courses next year.

As a department we offer French, German and Spanish at AS or A2 level. All the modern language teachers are well qualified and have a vast amount of experience and enthusiasm.

Learning a Modern Language is becoming increasingly important for business purposes within Europe and Worldwide. Through studying French, German or Spanish you learn about each country’s culture and how to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ideally students should spend a minimum of 2 weeks in the Summer holiday in either France, Germany or Spain either on a language course or exchange visit.

WHERE DOES IT LEAD?

At a higher education level: BA in Modern Foreign Languages or a combined degree with: Business Studies, Sciences, Technology, Philosophy, Art, Engineering, Journalism or Linguistics.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You need a good GCSE result (Grade C and above) plus a keen interest in Modern Foreign Languages.

For progressing to A2, you need to have completed units 1 and 2 of the AS course and achieved a high grade.

EXAMINATION BOARD

AQA

MODULES

AS

Module 1 - Listening / Reading / Writing
Module 2 - Speaking

Topic areas covered include: Media, Popular Culture, Healthy Living / Lifestyle, Family / Relationships.

A2

Module 3 - Listening / Reading / Writing
Module 4 - Speaking

Topic areas covered include: Environment, Multicultural Society, Contemporary and social issues, and 2 cultural topics chosen from: History, Literature, Fine Arts, Study of a region.

ASSESSMENT

AS

Module 1 - 100% examination in June
Module 2 - 15 minute oral examination in French or German

A2

Module 3 - 100% examination in June
Module 4 - 15 minute oral examination in French or German

READING LIST

It is vital to buy a good sized dictionary (not pocket sized) e.g. Collins Robert for French. Also a good grammar revision book e.g. “Mille et un points”.

Students are also advised to read newspapers and magazines in the language they study such as “Landeskunde Deutschland” and “Bravo” in German and “Phosphore” and “Le journal des enfants” in French.

Useful websites include the following:

German
www.goethe.de
www.tagesschau.de
www.young-germany.de/deutsch

French
www.fr.yahoo.com
www.zut.org.uk
www.ados.fr
www.touslesmedias.com

Spanish
www.elmundo.es
www.elpais.es
www.yahoo.es