Description

Modern Languages are accomplishments that give a strong advantage in job applications. Linguists are great communicators with well-trained, logical, mature minds. They have cultural awareness and take on a challenge. Excellent opportunities exist for able linguists in many professional spheres.

At Ribston we teach Modern Languages in lively and interesting ways, with as many opportunities as possible to practise communication through creative immersion in authentic language.  Students learn to speak and write as children do in real life. Students are therefore able to develop a good accent and strong listening skills as well as the confidence to produce their own language.

We tailor our teaching to the particular needs of students, with support and extension sessions as needed. Our friendly teaching staff share skills and experiences drawn from teaching languages abroad. Our extra-curricular and travel programmes ensure that every pupil is given the opportunity to develop their language skills in the most effective way. We aim to offer courses that are rigorous and enjoyable and that open the eyes of every student to the rich diversity of European and global culture.

The National Curriculum informs the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages at Ribston Hall High School, based on the core skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The Key Stage 3 curriculum allows students at Ribston Hall High School to learn more about the French-speaking world, to appreciate and respect other cultures, and to develop the practical skills needed to communicate successfully. The curriculum promotes a secure knowledge and understanding of vocabulary, grammar and phonics. Alongside this, we provide our students with opportunities to develop cultural capital through the study of customs and festivals in Francophone countries. Across the three-year programme of study, we cover topics which prepare students for those studied at Key Stage 4 (GCSE).

Content

Exam board

GCSE Specification: French AQA 8657 (consult website for full information)

Description

The Key Stage 4 curriculum greatly advances students’ ability to communicate confidently in a wide range of situations. It also develops students’ cultural knowledge of the French-speaking world.  Students are given many opportunities to encounter customs and festivals in Francophone countries. Topics are in three main themes: Identity and Culture; Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest; and Current and Future Study/ Employment.

The GCSE course is linear (all assessment is at the end of the two-year course).

There are four papers:

Paper 1: Listening (25% of GCSE)

Paper 2: Speaking (25% of GCSE), based on a role-play, discussion of photo card and general conversation

Paper 3: Reading (25% of GCSE)

Paper 4: Writing (25%of GCSE)

Content

Exam board

Exam Specification: French AQA 7652 (consult website for full information)

Description

The A-Level French course empowers students to broaden their minds, discover a world beyond their own culture, and acquire new ways of thinking. More than 200 million people speak French on five continents, and it is one of the most important languages in professional fields such as diplomacy, engineering, law, medicine, and international charity work.

Students develop independent, alternative views of the world by reading articles and listening to news clips from the leading French-language media.  They master the four core skills of Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking in many and varied contexts.  The course is notable for training students to analyse and evaluate important contemporary topics through debate and discussion, and is thus a strong preparation for university applications, and for studying in higher education. Fluency in French is a major advantage in the job market, opening doors to companies all over the world for students to travel, work and live abroad.

The course is organised around three broad themes – Social Issues and Trends (Theme 1), Political and Artistic Culture (Theme 2), and Literary texts and Films (Theme 3). The course is linear, with all exams at the end of the two-year course.

There are three papers:

Paper 1: Listening, reading and Writing (50% of A Level) - assessing Themes 1 and 2

Paper 2: Writing (20% of A Level) - assessing Theme 3

Paper 3: Speaking (30% of A Level), based on a discussion of a sub-theme from Themes 1 and 2, and a presentation/discussion of an Individual Research Project

Content