10 REASONS WHY LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT

1. …..improves your grasp of English.
2. ..…enhances your confidence.
3. ..…gives you a wider understanding of world affairs.
4. ..…widens your career / job options.
5. ..…improves international relations.
6. ..…makes travelling easier and more enjoyable.
7. ..…connects the world and promotes peace.  
8. ..…helps you make friends in new countries.
9. ..…shows you are open minded and tolerant.
10. …boosts brain power.

It’s a multilingual world - not everyone speaks English.

94% of the world does NOT speak English as a first language.

75% of the world does not speak English at all.

In the Modern Languages Department at HGSS, we recognise and embrace the importance of learning other languages.  We are proud of our high uptake at Key Stage 4 and our results (94% A*-C in French, 91% A*-C in Spanish, summer 2011).

Resources

The faculty is well resourced and each room is equipped with high quality audio equipment, projectors, laptops and speakers, Flipcams and microphones.

The faculty has a good range of course books, extension and support material as well as specific revision courses for GCSE and interactive CD programs, and a range of websites is used to enhance learning.

Courses 

French and Spanish are currently taught from Year 7, and students must make their choice of language before entrance to the school.

The main courses used are:

French  :   Equipe (Nouvelle)

Spanish :   Listos

All language courses are supported and supplemented by authentic material, magazines, videos, websites, song and teacher-generated worksheets.  (see Trips page for mfl events)

Teaching

The aim of the Modern Languages faculty is to provide a stimulating and challenging environment where students learn to communicate effectively and confidently in the foreign language. Cultural context and awareness is an integral and essential part of the language, and Year 8 students of French have the opportunity to interview French speaking players at Reading Football Club, whilst Spanish students can take part in a Flamenco workshop (see below).  Year 9 students are offered the chance to participate in residential visits to St Omer, France and Madrid, Spain.   (see Trips page)

The target language is the main language of the classroom. This ensures maximum exposure to the language and the opportunity to participate in ‘real’ situations. Homework is set regularly and is an essential and integral part of the course.

Key stage 3

Students are assessed in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  These skills are used throughout the learning process.

Topics include:

Resources include:
French: Equipe Novelle 1, 2, 3; Spanish: Listos 1, 2 and parts of 3

Interviewing Footballers

Year 8 French students went to Watford FC Football Club on Wednesday 14th November to meet and interview a French player. On arrival they had their lunch in the stands; they then discovered there were two French speaking players: Jean Alain Fanchone and Steve, whom they met and interviewed, and afterwards had a tour of the stadium. The students did a brilliant job, with several volunteering to ask the players a question in French or translating their answers and a great day was enjoyed by all!

Flamenco workshop

Approximately 45 year 8 students took part in the flamenco workshop in October to celebrate European Day of Languages. They were shown some typical "Sevillana" dances, accompanied by the classical guitar. Students then had the chance to practice their flamenco steps and hand movements and even had a go on the castanets! Afterwards, visiting dancer María and musician Tomás kindly answered students questions in Spanish, giving everyone the chance to practice their speaking and listening skills. Finally, Miss Iniesta got on the dance floor and showed us how it is really done. Thank you to everyone who took part.

Key stage 4

The exam consists of assessment in the four skills (listening: 20%; speaking: 30%; reading: 20% and writing: 30%).  The speaking and writing exams are conducted as controlled assessment (in Year 10 and 11), whilst the listening and reading exams take place at the end of Year 11.

Topics include:

Key stage 5 

For futher information on Key stage 5 please refer to the Sixth Form Prospectus