Modern Foreign Languages

We offer AS & A2 awards in French, German & Spanish. You will also be able to take examinations in other languages (e.g. a language which you speak at home), and there are opportunities to gain vocational language qualifications such as Business Spanish.

What does studying a language at A level involve?
The course is designed to give students a profound understanding of their chosen language. Not only will they learn more about the mechanics of the language – like grammar and vocabulary – but also about how people live and use language on a day to day basis.
Overall, the focus in languages at A level shifts towards a greater understanding of the people and what really makes them tick. By exploring how other nations and cultures deal with hot issues such as teenage pregnancy, racism, the endangered environment and euthanasia, many students also come to discover their own attitudes, principles and, perhaps, prejudices.
As you might expect when studying a civilisation, the course covers a wide range of disciplines. Language students can expect to dip their toes into aspects of other courses such as health, politics, media, ethics, geography, history, art, music and literature – in fact, this overlap works well for students as they practice expressing their worldview and opinions in the foreign language.
Of course, students will need to develop their ability to express opinions and justify their perspectives in a mature style. Throughout the course, you will encounter higher level structures which will enable you to express your newly formed opinions in both the written and spoken form. Focused study of grammar and small-group speaking practice sessions with our Language Assistants really helps students develop the necessary language skills.

How will I know if I will be good at it?
This course is well-suited to students who enjoy putting the world to rights. Languages students are those who like to meet new people, who want to travel for work or pleasure, who enjoys exploring ideas, communicating viewpoints, drawing social comparisons, empathising with others and finding solutions.

In order to get the most out of this subject, you should already be able to use a variety of tenses and be working easily at GCSE Higher level in speaking and writing.

What skills will I develop and where could studying this subject lead?
Surveys indicate that language students and graduates are highly sought after in the current climate. Employers need staff who can communicate effectively and show attention to detail, as well as having the specialist ability to deal with overseas contacts in their native tongue. The course trains students to present a coherent argument, use evidence correctly and succinctly, empathise with others and use advanced level thinking skills to find solutions – in short, all skills which lend themselves to working in, and managing, a successful team.

In this rapidly shrinking world, those who study language degrees combined with another discipline such as Law, Business, Journalism or Tourism (there are many more) find that they are valued higher than colleagues who do not have a skill in a language. Universities are responding to employers’ demands and there is enormous growth in the number and type of combined course available.
Important things to consider

We regularly offer 6th form trips to France, Germany and Spain and we strongly recommend participation in these trips to support your real-life experience of language and culture.

Entry requirements
In order to be able to take a Language A Level at Coombe you need to have achieved 5 A* to C grades at GCSE. In order to pass this subject successfully, you should already have a solid basis in the language, e.g. you should be able to use a range of tenses and be working easily at GCSE Higher Level.

Which other subjects does a Language A-Level combine well with?
A language A-Level combines well with most subjects, as it will give you an extra edge in all professional areas in the future. As the subject is often centred around expressing opinions and analysing current social and cultural phenomena, some students find a useful overlap with social science subjects such as politics, history, geography, psychology, or English, where discussion of similar issues is also central to the course. Other students find that languages complement e.g. maths or science subjects well, as it gives an opportunity for such discussion and communication practice where their other subjects give them less opportunity to express opinions about cultural and social issues.

Similarities between Languages at GCSE and A Level
Where a GCSE gave you the basic tools to express yourself in a language and focused mostly on your own day-to-day experiences, A Level languages aim to broaden horizons by looking at the issues relevant to living in today’s world and in particular, our target language cultures and societies. As such, the course builds on the skills gained in GCSE, but then enables you to get your teeth into some much more advanced topics such as media and communication technology, modern youth culture such as music ad markers of personal identity, lifestyle choices and social trends. Reading texts and listening passages are longer and more complex in terms of vocabulary.
In addition to your 5 weekly lessons you will also have 30 minutes of timetabled conversation lessons with our language assistant per week to really get to practice speaking skills.

Progression from AS to A2
Where AS topics centre more around youth and popular culture, A2 really gets you working on specific cultural topics relevant to our target language countries as well as contemporary social issues such as immigration and racism, wealth and poverty, the impact of technological progress and issues surrounding environmental damage. At A2, you will encounter increasingly complex grammar structures and texts. Like at AS, you will again have small-group conversation lessons every week with our language assistant to practice speaking skills.

Modules and assessment information
At AS Level, your assessment is in two parts. There is a two hour exam which includes listening, reading and writing. This accounts for 70% of your marks for the year. Then there is a 15 min speaking test, which accounts for 30% of your marks for the year.
The exam structure at A2 is very similar. The listening, reading and writing exam lasts for 2.5 hours and accounts for 70 % of your marks for the year.

Exam Board: AQA, see student guides for German, French, and Spanish

German Links

German textbook

http://www.young-germany.de/deutsch

http://www.goethe.de/

http://www.stern.de/

Spanish Links

Spanish textbook

www.studyspanish.com

www.elpais.es

French Links

French textbook

www.frenchrevision.co.uk

http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/

Online Book List

Visit Amazon to buy our recommended text books. If you choose to order books via Amazon please read their terms and conditions.

German:

Wort für Wort

Aktion Grammatik

Spanish:
Palabra por Palabra
Accion Gramatica

French:

Mot à mot

Action Grammaire