modern foreign languages

‘La connaissance des langues est la porte de la sagesse’

(Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom)

Students at Weston Road Academy have the life-changing opportunity to study French for 2 ½ hours each week. Linguistic ability in professions such as journalists, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and engineers enables you to stand out and succeed in an increasingly demanding and competitive workplace. Our team of experienced language teachers share their passion for languages and encourage the discovery of new cultures. Students learn through a variety of resources and authentic materials and lessons are active and rewarding. We subscribe to Languagenut, A tantôt and Linguascope to offer students the opportunity to use IT to enhance learning outside the classroom.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)

In Key Stage 3, we study a variety of topics including food, school, holidays and hobbies. Lessons focus on both vocabulary and grammar and feature a variety of tasks and games.

Assessment

Students are assessed four times a year in each of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Homework

As language learning is more effective little and often, we set a 15 minute homework each week. This may be written, IT based or learning.

Extra-curricular opportunities

Each September, we celebrate European Day of Languages and Year 7 students will take part in competitions. Many teachers from other departments get involved and will speak to the students in different European Languages.

In order to support Year 7 with the transition to High School, we offer a French homework club every Monday lunchtime, where students can receive any help they want or need.

We deliver careers’ based lessons every year, to give our students a good understanding of the importance of learning a foreign language for job opportunities.

During Year 9, guest speakers will address the students on more specific careers information, relevant to a language GCSE.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

Students follow the AQA French GCSE course: Spec code: 8658

GCSE French has a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier.

The exam is split between 4 papers:

Listening 25%
Reading 25%
Speaking 25%
Writing 25%

Students study all of the following themes on which the assessments are based.

Theme 1: Identity and culture

Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

Theme 3: Current and future study and employment

Homework

As language learning is more effective little and often, we set a 30 minute homework each week.

Extra-curricular opportunities

Paris trip offered to Year 9 students in June (4 days in Paris, including cultural opportunities, a day in Euro Disney and opportunities to practise speaking French.)