Spanish, German & French

Why study languages?

With the increasing influence of Europe on our lives, it is becoming increasingly important to be able to communicate in more than one language. Learning a Foreign Language creates opportunities to gain a greater understanding of other cultures and to broaden horizons. Your studies will be both academically challenging and an important first step into the international world of work. They incorporate a wide range of enrichment opportunities such as work experience in the country of study, cinema trips, one-to-one sessions with a native speaker, and a study visit to the country in question through an exchange programme. Fortismere offers courses in French, Spanish and German at AS and A2, and each subject uses the same course structure, described below.

What will I study?

Spanish

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AS Units

Module 1 - Spoken expression and response (15% of GCE)
Mixture of response to stimulus and conversation, linked to student choice.

Module 2 - Understanding and written response. (35% of GCE)
Mixture of listening and reading tasks (non-verbal, short passages in the target language and English responses); writing in response to a stimulus. Students control the pace of assessment.

German

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A2 Units

Module 3 - Understanding and spoken response (17.5% of GCE)
Discussion of an issue (free choice); focus on students’ interests; no requirement to issues based in the TL country.

Module 4 - Research, understanding and written choice (32.5% of GCE)
Translation task (English to the target language).
Essay (discursive or creative) from a wide range of titles.
Reading and research based task. (Wide ‘research areas’, free choice of literary texts.) There is very little prescription in this paper.

French

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How will I study?

In addition to gaining a thorough knowledge of grammatical structures and concepts, students will be taught to communicate in the target language in a wide range of situations through a variety of teaching and learning styles. The department subscribes to many on-line resources and students will find these an invaluable research tool. We have native speaking language assistants who work closely with sixth formers. There will be an opportunity to take part in a work experience.

What do I need to start the course?

Students need to have a good grade at GCSE in the relevant language (a B grade as a minimum is strongly recommended). An interest in language for its own sake is essential, as is an interest in current affairs and social issues, particularly in the context of the country concerned. It is also strongly recommended that students have a Grade B or above in English GCSE and English Literature GCSE.