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French, German and Spanish

GCSE

The Modern Foreign Languages AQA courses contain a wide range of topics which aim to expand pupils’ cultural knowledge of either French, German and Spanish. Pupils will be tested in four skills and they will develop transferable skills, relevant to further study and the world of work.

At GCSE, there are four exams for each of the languages and each one is worth 25% of marks:

  • Paper 1: Listening (50 minutes)
  • Paper 2: Speaking (12 minutes)
  • Paper 3: Reading (60 minutes)
  • Paper 4: Writing (75 minutes)

A Level

The syllabus is a wide and challenging one, and will appeal to those who have already demonstrated an aptitude for, and interest in, language study at GCSE Level.

Over the two-year course students will learn a lot about the French, German and Spanish speaking worlds, their institutions, traditions and present-day position in Europe and the wider world.

The exam board is AQA and there are three exams for each of the languages: –

Unit 1: Listening, reading and writing (2 hours 30 minutes/ 40% of A Level).

Unit 2: Writing: – Two texts or one text and a film from the lists in the specification (2 hours/ 30% of A Level).

Unit 3: Speaking: – Individual research project and a discussion on a topic from one of the four sub-themes (21-23 minutes/ 30% of A Level).

In a globalised world, many big graduate employers are multinational organisations and are keen to recruit candidates who are willing to work overseas and can liaise effectively with international colleagues.  Studying an MFL at A Level at the Grammar School is the next step on this path. Over the two-year course, you will develop a strong professional relationship with your sixth form teachers and you will have a weekly one to one lesson with a native speaker, tailored specifically to your needs.  You will develop interpersonal and communication skills that potential employers value, as well as other key strengths.  There are also numerous opportunities for enrichment.

Possible careers include: charities administrator, doctor, interpreter, investment analyst, journalist, logistics Manager, management accountant, marketing, PR and sales professionals, solicitor, surgeon, teacher, tourism and translator.

Subject Enrichment Activities

  • One to one assistant lessons on a weekly basis
  • Oxbridge lessons
  • Open access to language facilities
  • Newspapers, magazines and DVDs in the target languages
  • Language conferences
  • University enrichment days