Languages at Driffield School

In Year 7 all students study either French or Spanish. Currently, 9 forms do French and 3 forms do Spanish. If parents have a strong reason for choosing a particular language, we can usually accommodate their wishes. Year 7 students have three lessons per week of the language. Students continue the same language in Years 8 and 9, with three lessons per week in Year 8 and two lessons per week in Year 9.

At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11), we feel that it is important for all students to study a language, and there is also the opportunity to pick up a second language in the Options system. Normally students have 2 lessons per week in Year 10 and 3 in Year 11. The course leads to the AQA GCSE qualification. Students are tested in the four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, and can be tested at Foundation or Higher tiers. The writing is assessed by coursework done over the two years of the course.

Both languages are available for AS and A2 in Years 12 and 13.

Students are taught in mixed-ability groups in Year 7, but, from Year 8 onwards, we feel that it is preferable to do some grouping by ability, in order to ensure that all students are working at an appropriate but challenging level. The same topics are covered, so students can easily be moved from one group to another.

Why should you learn a foreign language?

• It’s useful:
  • Many people travel abroad on holiday. Although you can survive speaking English, you will enjoy yourself more and be welcomed if you try to speak the foreign language when on holiday.
  • France is the most popular tourist destination in the world, and is spoken in countries as wide apart as Canada, North Africa, the Caribbean, Belgium, Switzerland and, of course, France.
  • Spain is a very popular tourist destination for the British. Spanish is also spoken all over the world – the Canaries, South America, Majorca and mainland Spain.
  • More and more companies are doing business abroad, and many are looking for people with a languages qualification. Many companies in this country are owned by foreign firms.
  • Graduates with a languages degree earn more than those without.
• You learn about a different way of life and culture. You can compare that with your own experience and see that we do not always have the best way of doing things.
• You learn about language in general. Research has shown that people learning a foreign language improve their skills in their own language.
• You can improve your communication skills – a key skill whatever job you go into.
• Above all, it’s fun, if you are prepared to have a go.
• If you want to know more about careers with languages and the importance of the subject try the following websites: www.rln-yh.com and www.languagesnto.org.uk

Outline Schemes of Work

Year 7 French

Students follow the Equipe Course. The following topic areas are covered:

• Greetings, personal information, family and pets
• School, subjects, studied, opinions
• Hobbies and leisure activities
• Describing the family and other people
• Describing where you live and the house
• Food and drink
• Food, sport and healthy living
• Asking the way, planning a weekend’s activities
• Weather, time and other countries

Grammar is also covered during the year, with particular emphasis on the following:

• Nouns and gender (masculine and feminine)
• Verbs – present tense, regular and some irregular verbs
• Adjectives to describe people, places and things
• Differences in pronunciation
• Asking questions
• Days, months, numbers
• Negatives
• Using a dictionary and learning strategies

Year 8 French

Students continue with Equipe Book 2. The following topic areas are covered:

• Clothes and Fashion
• Television and cinema
• Going out, arranging to meet, talking about what you did last weekend
• Daily routine and helping around the house
• Festivals and special occasions
• Holidays and transport
• Earning and spending money
• Communication
• A visit to France. Staying with a French family

Grammar is also covered during the year, with particular emphasis on the following:

• Verbs – revision of Present tense.
• Verbs - Talking about the past and future.
• Making comparisons.
• Adjectives – irregular forms.
• More negatives.
• Verbs followed by an infinitive.

Year 9 French

Students currently use Camarades, either Turquoise or Orange, plus a wide range of our own materials. This is currently under review.

GCSE French. Years 10 and 11

Students follow the AQA Specification A course for GCSE. They are assessed in the 4 skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The writing is assessed by means of coursework produced during the two years, whilst the other skills are assessed by final examination in May/June of Year 11. Each skill is worth 25% of the marks. In Listening, Reading and Writing, students can be entered at either Foundation Tier (aimed at Grades C-G or Higher Tier (aimed at Grades A*-D).

Topics covered in the course of the 2 years will include the following:-

TOPIC Sub-Topics included

• Personal Relationships Self, family and friends
• Character and personal relationships
• Social issues, choices and responsibilities
• Tourism Tourism
• Holiday activities
• The Environment Home and local environment
• The environment
• Leisure Interests and hobbies
• Leisure
• Shopping
• Home Life Daily routine
• Home life
• Healthy living
• Education/Work School and future plans
• Part-time jobs and work experience
• Education
• Careers and future plans

In order to produce good coursework and conversation, students need to understand the basic grammar of the language. In particular, it is important that they learn to talk and write about the Past, Present and Future, express and justify opinions, give full descriptions, and be able to narrate a story.

In addition, it is essential that all students learn, and regularly revise, vocabulary and phrases on the topics covered. There will be frequent tests to check that learning has taken place.

In the oral exam, students will take part in a role-play, give a short presentation and answer conversation questions on a range of topics taken from the syllabus.