The study of a language at Key Stage 3 and 4 is compulsory and will help students work towards achieving the English Baccalaureate. The school decides whether students will be studying French or Spanish from the start of year seven.

The MFL department is fortunate to have the most up to date, interactive resources on the market, which are used from year seven to year eleven. French uses Studio 1, 2, 3 in Key Stage 3 and the brand new GCSE for Edexcel materials in Key Stage 4. Similarly, Spanish uses Viva books 1, 2 and 3 and Edexcel GCSE resources too.

The GCSE course is divided into four skills and each skill has a foundation or higher tier. Each student may only be entered for one tier across all four skill areas.

• Reading   (25%)
• Listening (25%)
• Writing     (25%)
• Speaking (25%)

Reading

This is tested by an examination at the end of year 11.This component requires learners to respond to a range of questions in English and also in the assessed language. Question types will include multiple choice with non-verbal responses; match-up responses; gap-fill one word answers; selecting correct/false statements; short answer responses; completing information in a table and longer responses.

Reading tasks will be taken from a range of contexts which may include advertisements, newspaper articles (adapted); literary-type texts (adapted), emails, messages and letters. Learners will also be required to translate short passages into English (35-40 words for foundation tier and 50-55 words for higher tier). All questions target specific aspects of the subject content.

Listening

This is tested by an examination at the end of year 11. This component requires learners to respond to a range of questions in English and also in the assessed language. Question types will include multiple choice with non-verbal and written responses; gap-fill one word answers; selecting correct/false statements and short answer responses.

Learners will respond to different types of spoken language which may include monologues, conversations, discussions, interviews, announcements and messages. The spoken extracts will increase in complexity as the paper progresses. All questions target specific aspects of the subject content.

Writing

This is tested by an examination at the end of year 11. Depending on whether the student is entered for Foundation or Higher tier, they are required to produce three pieces of writing which may consist of: a short text, an email, letter, web page, article, report or promotional material with some specified content, plus a translation of either simple sentences or a short passage from English into the assessed language.

Speaking

This is tested by an examination at the end of year 11. This component requires learners to respond in the assessed language to a role play, a photo card and a conversation.

Assessment of this component will also take account of knowledge of and accurate application of grammar and structures.

Dictionaries are not permitted in any part of the four assessments.

The topic areas that you will cover are:

• Identity and culture
• Local, national, international and global areas of interest
• Current and future study and employment