Modern Languages
Key Stage 3
Key stage three provides our students with introductory material which they will study in more depth in Key Stage 4 which culminates in the GCSE. Students begin to familiarise themselves with details about the world of education in the Target Language country, about money and shopping (from 2002 our textbooks start to use the Euro), as well as pocket money. There is also the possibility to write letters and learn the correct letter etiquette as well as to begin to find out about the possibilities offered by travel. The global nature of languages is also stressed within this key stage as well as introducing such concepts as the European Union. During Key Stage 3, the students also have their first possibility to travel to another country. Exchange visits at both Key Stage 3 and 4 have also included visits to a winery, a coal mine, a chocolate factory and a power station. This offer will be repeated and expanded upon as the students move up the School.
Key Stage 4
The advent of the new GCSE has increased the importance of this cross-curricular theme. The world of work is a key element of the new GCSE syllabus. Language lessons during Key Stage 4 offer material about the Target Language and British education and training systems as well as comparing the two systems and give students a chance to talk about their future plans both in terms of study and employment. During material built round the future tense, the students can also begin to talk about future options and the possibilities offered by vocational training. Letter writing especially of a formal nature begins to play a more important rôle at this level. They also have the chance to produce a first CV and to write letters of application for summer employment. In Upper 5(Year 11), some focus is also made of wider issues, such as the environment and intensive revision for the GCSE oral exams will inevitably revise these topics while offering intensive conversational practice.
Post GCSE Provision
In the languages 'AS' and 'A2' Level syllabuses considerable importance has been attached to the world of work. This builds on the work which has already been done for GCSE. The importance of this cross-curricular area is clearly reflected in the Schemes of Work.
Using languages in a business context plays an impertant rôle in 'GCE' Level MFL. Part of the 'AS' papers consist of material directly related to the world of work. The tasks set are realistic and involve the transfer of meaning from and into the target modern language. For the purpose of this paper the candidate may be working either in the UK or the foreign country.
Reading texts may include letters, faxes, messages and memos as well as advertisements, articles and reports. Listening material may include phone calls,announcements or radio items.
There may be a form of extended writing such as letter writing, report or fax drafting from a business standpoint as well as translating and summary of incoming information. Writing activities could also request or supply information about a product or service. Possible subject matter and concepts cover all areas of business activity although candidates will not have been expected to cover them in depth or write about them in any detail.
During exchange visits there is also the opportunity to visit local businesses. Students in the past have visited Hilti AG, Presta AG, Swarowski AG etc. These visits have been followed up with 'A2' Level course work on the business environment, the wider economy or a particular industry. See the following webpages for details for more details.