The Curriculum

At Rushcliffe School , we offer two languages, Spanish and French. A year 7 pupil will study three hours of Spanish per week and then start French in Year 8, continuing with Spanish at the same time.

This will change from September 08 when all Year 7 pupils will study three hours of Spanish, but only the more able half of the year group will start French as a second language in year 8.

We are one of the only secondary schools in Nottinghamshire with Spanish as it's main language.

At the end of year 9, pupils can choose to study one or both languages at GCSE level.

Teaching & Learning

We follow the course book ‘Listos' for Spanish. Language lessons are fun, active and rewarding. Teachers encourage all pupils to be enthusiastic participants and to enjoy learning a foreign language. Support is given to pupils who find languages challenging, and some pupils at Rushcliffe do not study languages at all, if it is felt that their needs will be better met with extra English support.

National Curriculum Levels at Key Stage 3

We assess pupils in the four key skill areas:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing.

Pupils will perform at Key Stage 3 (years 7-9) at the levels below:

• Year 7 – Level 1c - 4a/5c
• Year 8 – Level 2c - 6a
• Year 9 – Level 3c - 7a

We set in Spanish from year 7 after an initial settling in period in tutor groups.

The Faculty Teaching Area

The language facility is based in a suite of 5 well-resourced classrooms in ‘B'Block. There is also a well-equipped computer room adjacent to the Faculty area. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard and a digital projector and the use of IT plays a central role in our teaching of languages.

Homework

Homework is set weekly.

Typical tasks might include:

• Learning new vocabulary
• Extended writing
• Reading exercises
• Puzzles and games
• Completing classwork
• Research

Key Stage 4

We currently follow the OCR syllabus for both languages.

In French, Higher Tier groups are studying for a final written exam whereas Foundation Tier groups submit their best 3 pieces from 5 pieces of coursework prepared over the two years. All Spanish and German groups do coursework.

The GCSE exam is split into 4 skills:

1. Listening 25%
2. Reading 25%
3. Speaking 25%
4. Writing/Coursework 25%

All Spanish groups do coursework.

Trips and Residential Visits

The MFL department has a long tradition of running trips, residentials and exchanges. This year we took pupils to France and Spain . The French trip was a four day residential to Normandy with year 9/10 pupils. We then took a group of 40 pupils to the Barcelona region for 4 days.

Expectations of Key Stage 4 Pupils

We expect Years 10 and 11 pupils to regularly:

• Learn new vocabulary and grammar at home
• Complete written homeworks using notes & reference materials.
• Learn speaking test answers thoroughly
• Be enthusiastic and participate fully in all classroom activities.

Every year parents of Year 6 pupils ask us what they can do to help their son or daughter with languages in preparation for their arrival at Rushcliffe. We encourage pupils to have their own bilingual dictionary to help with homework, but no prior knowledge of languages is needed before they start. All we ask for is enthusiasm and effort! If you have any further queries, ask a member of the Languages Department or contact Mr C Jones, Head of Foreign Languages here at school.

Curriculum Leaders in the MFL Faculty

• Mr C Jones, Head of Modern Foreign Languages

• Miss E Vicente, Head of Spanish

We have an excellent team of language teachers with a good mix of younger and more experienced staff. Pupil achievement within the faculty is outstanding from Key Stage 3 levels up to A2 level. Please refer to the school’s exam results page for further information.

Useful websites

We encourage the pupils to revise and practice language at home using the internet. Each pupil will have his/her own preferred sites but a simple search of say ‘Spanish’ on Google will open up a world of revision opportunities. Internet revision is an excellent way to reinforce key language for the exams.

If you are interested in languages and communication and enjoy discovering other cultures and ways of life, then the Modern Foreign Languages course could be suitable for you. Whether you want to use language for work, for further study, training, or for leisure, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Learning a language is a skill which is valued by employers and University Admissions tutors.

Any Subject Specific Requirements

The department assumes that most students will normally have achieved at least the equivalent of GCSE grade B in the relevant language before taking the course. You will need to feel confident in the four skills of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. You need to be interested in developing your understanding of the culture and way of life of the target-language country. You will be keen to explore in much more depth the topic areas covered at GCSE.

Material used in the A level course will be drawn from the following broad topic areas and will be firmly rooted in the culture of the target-language country.

AS-Level

A2 Level

• Media
• The Arts Food & Drink
• Travel,
• transport & holidays
• Advertising
• Daily Life
• Sports & Pastimes
• Human Interest news items

• Social Issues
• Education
• Human Interest News Items
• Politics
• The Environment
• Law & Order
• Science & Technology

We encourage you to immerse yourself in the culture and language which you have chosen by watching foreign films, listening to the radio, visiting favourite sites on the internet and even e-mailing a partner at a foreign school. We also encourage you to take part in Work Experience Visits to France or Germany in holiday time.

Assessment Pattern

1. Unit 1 – Listening & Writing ( 1 hour) 30%
2. Unit 2 – Reading & Writing ( 2 hours) 40%
3. Unit 3 – Speaking (12 minutes) 30%

All 3 units are taken at the end of Year 12

1. Unit 4 – Speaking (15 minutes) 30%
2. Unit 5 – Topics & Texts/Coursework 30%
3. Unit 6 – Listening, Reading & writing 40%

All 3 units are taken at the end of Year 13

Choosing your AS/A2 subjects is an important step towards shaping your future – both in terms of personal development as well as career direction.

Here are our responses to some of the typical questions we get asked by prospective A Level Language students.

What is it like doing French/German at A Level?

The first major difference is that you will be taught in much smaller groups (an average of 10 students for French and 5 for German) and will be working with other very able committed linguists. You will\have 5 lessons a week plus homework plus an additional hour of independent study (directed by your teachers). The frequency of our lessons and the smaller groups make for a real bond between our students. We continue to build on the 4 skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing but focus on contemporary issues of real relevance to young people such as Relationships, Drugs, The Environment and Politics.

Is it the right course for me?

1. Are you interested in other cultures and other peoples’ points of view?
2. Do you enjoy learning how the language is constructed and want to find out more?
3. Do you seize the chance to speak the Language and ‘Have a go’?
4. Have you enjoyed your language studies so far and are hungry for more?
5. Do you have high personal expectations and are you prepared to invest time and effort to achieve your goals?
6. Are you interested in contemporary issues and enjoy discussions?
7. Would you like to travel abroad with independence and make new friends?

Where will this take me in terms of future choices?

Contrary to popular myth, 95% of the world do not speak English as their first language and 75% do not speak English at all. We live in a multilingual world and UK companies are realising that they need employees with foreign languages to compete. Many employers reward people with language skills with extra salary because they know that they are useful in today’s international business world.

Travelling abroad when you have language skills is a very different and infinitely better experience. You can really get involved, talk business, find you way around more easily, make friends and enjoy true independence.

Talk to your language teacher(s) and visit www.languageswork.co.uk

Reflect carefully. Don’t miss out on a life-changing opportunity!