Exam Board: AQA

Type of course: GCSE

How is the course assessed?

You will sit 4 examinations, each worth 25%. These are:

• Listening -  Understanding and responding to spoken extracts comprising the defined vocabulary and grammar for each tier, Dictation of short, spoken extracts.
• Speaking- Speaking using clear and comprehensible language to undertake a Role-play, carry out a Reading aloud task, talk about visual stimuli.
• Reading - Understanding and responding to written texts which focus predominantly on the vocabulary and grammar at each tier, translating from French into English.
• Writing - Writing text in the language in a lexically and grammatically accurate way in response to simple and familiar stimuli, translating from English into French.

What topics / units will you study?

You will study a variety of topics  that come under three big themes. These are:

• Theme 1: People and lifestyle
• Theme 2: Popular culture
• Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

 How to be successful

This course would suit someone who is an excellent communicator, with mental agility and problem-solving skills. You will ideally have good literacy skills, remember new words and vocabulary and be willing to speak and practice speaking out loud. You may enjoy conversation; have good listening skills and pay attention to detail. High levels of resilience and a willingness to overcome linguistic challenges is highly desirable to follow this course.

What extra-curricular activities are there?

• Trips to the University of Manchester
• Educational visits to France (subject to availability and interest)
• Educational competitions
• Language leader opportunities in school

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

Languages can lead to studying A-Level languages at college. You may then choose to study languages at university or pair a language degree with another mainstream degree which will prove to be highly useful as many people who have a degree in languages go on to secure high-paying jobs in various fields around the world.

UK businesses need linguists and knowledge of a second language will help you in a variety of careers, from Law, Business to Journalism. Language learners demonstrate many competencies that employers value such as creativity, empathy, and perseverance. If you are able to speak a foreign language, it will increase your chances of finding work in the UK and abroad, whatever employment you want to do.  Most big companies have offices in more than one place too. For example, Google has over 70 offices all over the world – from Bogotá to Beijing, so being able to speak a second language could increase your chances of getting hired and moving up within a company. Even if you choose not to use a second language in your job, employers love to see candidates with language qualifications as it demonstrates that you are a confident communicator, are resilient and are an active and conscious global citizen who demonstrates excellent team-working skills and respect for others. You may even encounter an opportunity to speak a foreign language in your hometown or local community, as Manchester is so diverse.

Who can you speak to for more information or if you have any questions?                              

Miss. C. Bauer in 1R2 or Mrs. S. Tomkow in her office on the MFL corridor 1st floor                             

Exam Board: AQA

Type of course: GCSE

How is the course assessed?

You will sit 4 examinations, each worth 25%. These are:

• Listening - Understanding and responding to spoken extracts comprising the defined vocabulary and grammar for each tier, Dictation of short, spoken extracts.
• Speaking- Speaking using clear and comprehensible language to undertake a Role-play, carry out a Reading aloud task, talk about visual stimuli.
• Reading - Understanding and responding to written texts which focus predominantly on the vocabulary and grammar at each tier, translating from Spanish into English.
• Writing - Writing text in the language in a lexically and grammatically accurate way in response to simple and familiar stimuli, translating from English into Spanish.

What topics / units will you study?

You will study a variety of topics  that come under three big themes. These are:

• Theme 1: People and lifestyle
• Theme 2: Popular culture
• Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

How to be successful

This course would suit someone who is an excellent communicator, with mental agility and problem-solving skills. You will ideally have good literacy skills, remember new words and vocabulary and be willing to speak and practice speaking out loud. You may enjoy conversation; have good listening skills and pay attention to detail. High levels of resilience and a willingness to overcome linguistic challenges is highly desirable to follow this course.

What extra-curricular activities are there?

• Trips to the University of Manchester
• Educational visits to Spain (subject to availability and interest)
• Educational competitions
• Language leader opportunities in school

What opportunities does this qualification help you to have?

Languages can lead to studying A-Level languages at college. You may then choose to study languages at university or pair a language degree with another mainstream degree, which will prove to be highly useful, as many people who have a degree in languages go on to secure high-paying jobs in various fields around the world. UK businesses need linguists and knowledge of a second language will help you in a variety of careers, from Law, Business to Journalism. Language learners demonstrate many competencies that employers value, such as creativity, empathy, and perseverance. If you are able to speak a foreign language, it will increase your chances of finding work in the UK and abroad, whatever employment you want to do.  Most big companies have offices in more than one place too. For example, Google has over 70 offices all over the world – from Bogotá to Beijing, so being able to speak a second language could increase your chances of getting hired and moving up within a company. Even if you choose not to use a second language in your job, employers love to see candidates with language qualifications as it demonstrates that you are a confident communicator, are resilient and are an active and conscious global citizen who demonstrates excellent team-working skills and respect for others.

You might even encounter an opportunity to speak a foreign language in your hometown or local community as Manchester is so diverse.

Who can you speak to for more information or if you have any questions?                              

Miss. C. Bauer in 1R2 or Mrs. S. Tomkow in her office on the MFL corridor 1st floor