Modern Foreign Languages at Queen Anne’s aims to build upon the great breadth of language learning experiences which girls bring with them, as well as to support all the girls in the exploration of new language opportunities. We want to stretch and challenge girls in the modern languages department through the learning of French, Mandarin and Spanish, which form the core of the languages on offer.

At GCSE, most girls are expected to take a modern language and we encourage them to take two languages where possible. Successful study of a modern language demonstrates a skill and knowledge base recognised as invaluable in the modern workplace. Combinations of French, Mandarin and Spanish can be studied, but students are always welcome to discuss other possible language options.

A different language is a different vision of life - Frederico Fellini

Enrichment activities in modern languages include an exchange programme to Toulouse for girls in the 4s and U4, and to enhance the teaching of Spanish, the girls may take part in trips to Andalusia, Toledo and Segovia. Cultural enrichment for the girls sees them taking part in Chinese cookery to celebrate Chinese New Year and learning Chinese Dance.

What do many adults regret later in life? Not having learned a language... Graduates of French and Spanish come third in terms of employability - Southampton University Subject Centre

This year, five of our students have competed in the British Council Mandarin Chinese Speaking Competition in London, and placed 2nd nationwide!

Extra-Curricular Activities

In the Trinity Term, the 4s are offered the opportunity to read and discuss short stories in French, Spanish or German in an after school club so as to challenge and enhance their comprehension skills of longer texts in a foreign language.

Enrichment activities at Key Stage 3 in modern languages include an exchange programme to Toulouse for students in U4 and enrichment activities for Spanish include a trip to Madrid, Toledo and Segovia.

Lower School Curriculum

Aims

In the lower years at Queen Anne’s, our aims are to: 

  • Build upon the great breadth of language learning experiences which students bring with them, as well as to support all students in the exploration of new language learning opportunities
  • Stretch and challenge students to fully explore the opportunities that French and Spanish or Mandarin offer
  • By the end of U4 all students will have developed their skill set in order to work with confidence in the language or languages which they choose to pursue to GCSE or A Level

Curriculum

The department boasts excellent facilities and staffing to meet the needs of all learners; individual requests for non-core languages are always acknowledged and students are given the tools they need to progress successfully to examination level.

L4, 4s and U4 (Year 7, 8 & 9)

The L4 modern languages comprise of two periods of French and one period of Spanish and Mandarin throughout the year. In the 4s, pupils focus on studying two languages: French, and either Spanish or Mandarin. They will take French and their choice of second language through the 4s and U4 and will then be able to opt to take either or both for GCSE. These languages are each studied for three periods a week until the end of Key Stage 3. 

Middle School Curriculum

French

EDEXCEL 4FR0

Learning French is an active process which involves engaging with other people and understanding how to communicate with them. France is our closest European neighbour and our languages and cultures are closely intertwined, but there are differences between us which make a visit there intriguing. At work, our contacts with Europe are increasing. The study of French will broaden students’ horizons and will equip them to make the most of the opportunities open to them at home and in Europe today.

Lessons are taught largely in French. The French Language Assistant is an invaluable resource and she is available to help students with oral work in L5 and U5. Although our main focus is on the ability to communicate, grammar work is of great importance as it is essential to have a clear understanding of the way the language works in order to make progress.
We use the GCSE Studio course, and the learning platform Pearson ActiveLearn. We study the following themes in the context of both the students’ home country and that of countries and communities where French is spoken: 

  • Identity and culture
  • Local area, holiday ad travel
  • International global dimension
  • Future aspirations, study and work
  • School

Examination

The scheme of assessment consists of three single tier examinations (papers 1, 2 and 3), each targeted at grades 9-1. The examination papers assess the full range of achievement. Students are required to take all three components at the end of the two year course.

  • Paper 1 – Listening and understanding in French. 

 35 minutes including 5 minutes’ reading time. Students are assessed on their understanding of standard spoken French by one or more speakers in a range of public and social settings.

  • Paper 2 – Speaking in French.

10-12 minutes plus 12 minutes’ preparation time. Students are assessed on their ability to communicate and interact effectively through speaking in French for different purposes and in different settings.

  • Paper 3 – Reading and understanding French.

1 hour. Students are assessed on their understanding of written French across a range of different types of texts, including advertisements, emails, letters, articles and literary texts. Students are required to respond to multiple-response and short-answer questions based on these texts.

  • Paper 4 - Written examination.

1 hour 20 minutes. Students are assessed on their ability to communicate effectively through writing French for different purposes and audiences. Students are required to produce responses of varying length and types to express ideas and opinions in French. The instructions to students are in French - two open responses questions and one translation into French.


Mandarin

EDEXCEL 9CN01

Mandarin is thriving at Queen Anne’s. The language is introduced in Lower Four and those students who wish to take GCSE level will be entered for the Cambridge IGCSE examination. The study of Mandarin at GCSE level is practically based and develops the skills necessary to understand and to communicate in the language studied. Students will study topics which relate to their own experience and needs, such as the family, school, travel and the world of work.

They will learn about China and will continue to practice reading, listening comprehension, speaking and character writing in Mandarin. Lessons are taught largely in Mandarin. Although our main focus is on the ability to communicate, grammar work is of great importance as it is essential to have a clear understanding of the way the language works in order to make progress.

Examination

All candidates take 4 papers in the 4 different skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing).

  • Paper 1 – Listening
    Candidates listen to a number of recordings and answer questions testing comprehension.
  • Paper 2 – Reading
    Candidates read a number of texts and answer questions testing comprehension in the target language.
  • Paper 3 – Speaking
    Candidates complete two role plays, a topic presentation/ conversation and a general conversation.
  • Paper 4 – Writing
    Candidates respond in the target language to three tasks.

Spanish

EDEXCEL IGCSE 4SP0

Spanish is a language which gives the learner much personal pleasure. Highly accessible in the early stages,  it gives  a real sense of achievement while making good academic grades possible. After English and Chinese, Spanish is the most widely spoken language in the world. Letters are received regularly from former students travelling throughout the world.

Throughout the course, in addition to the study of the language, time is given to DVDs, books and talks on Spanish geography, history, literature, art and way of life. Theatre and other visits take place wherever possible. A study visit to Spain is offered on a two year cycle. Visits are typically to Madrid, Toledo and Segovia and provide a valuable opportunity to put language skills  to work and increase the potential for success.

Students are well equipped to understand Spanish culture and to make an informed choice for A Levels. The Spanish Department has a wealth of learning materials: readers, grammar books and dictionaries, background reading on Spain and Latin America, listening materials, DVDs and Spanish newspapers. 

We use the GCSE Viva course, and the learning platform Pearson ActiveLearn. We study the following themes in the context of both the students’ home country and that of countries and communities where Spanish is spoken: 

  • Identity and culture
  • Local area, holiday and travel
  • International and global dimension
  • Future aspirations, study and work
  • School

Examination

The scheme of assessment consists of three single tier examinations (papers 1, 2 and 3), each targeted at grades 9-1. The examination papers assess the full range of achievement. Students are required to take all three components at the end of the two year course.

  • Paper 1 – Listening assesses students’ ability to understand and respond to spoken Spanish.
  • Paper 2 – Reading and Writing assesses students’ abilities in understanding and using information from a range of texts of increasing length through a series of reading comprehension tasks. Students then complete two extended writing tasks. Their response is evaluated for communication and content as well as knowledge and application of Spanish. There is also a grammar task which is worth ten marks which covers a range of structures and tenses from throughout the course.
  • Paper 3 – Speaking: students are assessed on their ability to communicate in speech, showing a knowledge of a range of vocabulary and of the grammar and structures taught as part of the GCSE specification.
Sixth Form Curriculum

A Level Modern Foreign Languages

“A different language is a different vision of life”, Frederico Fellini. “What do many adults regret later in life? Not having learned a language”. “Graduates of French and Spanish come third in terms of employability”, Southampton University Subject Centre

Aims

All modern foreign language courses aim to stimulate an interest in other cultures and societies. They give students the confidence to communicate effectively, follow their own interests, travel and refine their language skills.


Syllabus

  • French – Edexcel 9FR0
  • Spanish – Edexcel 9SP0

A Level languages require students to study topics from youth culture, media, the arts, business and technology amongst others. Students will discover the European Parliament and government, the environment and current affairs, film and literature and their own chosen topics. The pleasure of modern languages lies in pursuing those areas which are of interest to students.


Examinations

Examinations for French and Spanish A Level:

  • Paper 1 – Listening, Reading and Translation
  • Paper 2 – Written response to works and translation
  • Paper 3 – Speaking Examination

Other Subject Combinations

Languages can be combined with any chosen subject. Modular degrees are popular and participating in the Socrates programme means that students can study anything from law to hotel management in the country of their choice for one term to one year.

Potential Degree Courses and Career Choices

Medicine, Law, Business Studies - take your pick from any field and students will find almost all universities will support joint degrees with a Modern Foreign Language. The study of Modern Foreign Languages will dramatically enhance the essential skill of communication. Careers in the European Parliament, the Diplomatic Services, Marketing, as a Foreign Correspondent, the Civil Service, as an Overseas Sales Manager, in Tourism and the Hotel Industry, as a Translator, a Teacher, an Archaeologist - anything is possible and employers value highly a good language degree.

Academic Stretch

Key Stage 3

  • Attempt all extension activities for homework and classwork. It is important to speak to your teacher regularly about the level that you are working at so they can adjust it to suit your individual needs.
  • Look for tasks that push your level up to GCSE standard.  For example, striving to extend sentences and use a variety of tenses in your written and oral work.
  • Correspondence with French exchange partners before and after your stay with them.
  • Taking part in cultural visits abroad and using the target language when in the country.
  • Independent tasks such as working out a specific grammar rule and applying this to class work.
  • Assisting peers to help explain new language concepts. This can also be extended to younger years as well. This will not only help someone else understand it but also strengthen your understanding too.
  • Make use of online resources from your textbook as well as language nut. Your teacher is able to set you extension tasks to complete in your own time.
  • The promotion of studying 2 languages at GCSE and beyond.
  • In a listening or reading exercise, practise rewriting the transcript into another tense.
  • Find a podcast or YouTube video to support your pronunciation and your general understanding of the target language.
  • Take an interest in the culture of the languages that you study. Find out the customs and traditions of the country as well as any important festivals celebrated there.
  • Change the language of your phone or other devices to understand simple instructions.
  • Practise your language skills when you are on holiday. It will boost your confidence and impress your family!

Key Stage 4

  • Aim to challenge yourself by using complex phrases in your written and oral work. Create a bank of these phrases in your personal area in OneNote
  • Make sure you know the success criteria for speaking and writing tasks. Ask for a copy of a blank mark sheet and ask your teacher to explain how this is marked. Refer to this when completing Preparation tasks.
  • Include more tenses. Find out about the subjunctive, pluperfect, past conditional and make sure that you include them in your speaking and writing
  • Check the Grammar section of the content library to refer to new tenses and grammar points that you could include in your writing
  • Attend a trial A level lesson. Discuss with your teacher the course outline and what you can look forward to studying at A level. Talk to A level students about the course and how they find studying a language.
  • Make use of Language Nut and other online resources.
  • Speak to former students who are now studying languages at university. This will help you to gauge if studying a language would be beneficial to your career path.
  • The promotion of studying 1 or 2 languages at A Level and even Degree Level.
  • Have a go at A Level questions for Reading and Listening exercises.
  • Be prepared to speak more spontaneously and fluently. Aim to use the target language when in the language classroom. This will help you to practise your fluency and pronunciation.
  • Understand language from a range of contexts. Language is not confined to your textbook. Take a look at online news websites in the target language available in the content library of OneNote and see how much you can understand.
  • Listening and Reading exercises – note down new vocabulary and learn it independently. Challenge yourself to use it in your next piece of work and use it when speaking about the topic in class.
  • In a listening or reading  exercise, practise rewriting the transcript into another tense.
  • Ask your teacher in advance of the lesson for the vocabulary you will hear and learn it in ADVANCE of the lesson. You can use Languagenut for thisWatch a film in the target language. It can be one that you know already or discover a new film from that country. Ask your teachers for any recommendations. Netflix and Amazon Prime have numerous content from France, Spain, Germany.
  • Challenge yourself to read a book in a foreign language. There are numerous resources in the school library, you can also refer to the Reading list provided by MFL.  This is a great way to discover new vocabulary.
  • Listen to music in another language from YouTube. This will help you develop your aural skills and pronunciation as well.

Key Stage 5

  • Independent Work – you should be taking ownership of your own learning, reading around the subject and doing extra work at home making sure you fully understand concepts.
  • Further Reading and Research – At A level you study both books and films. It is important to conduct research into the different themes covered to enable you to gain a greater understanding of the subject matter. You may be directed to different sources for this by your teacher but also try to find your own.
  • Attend the workshops available on both the films and books that you are studying. This will allow you to explore them in greater detail as well as having new discussions about them in a different context.
  • Take part in A level trips which will help to immerse you in the culture and language. Students are expected to use the target language throughout their stay. 

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