Modern Foreign Languages

Blenheim recognises the benefit of students learning Languages and gaining a skill for the rest of their life. We have a broad and balanced KS3 curriculum and are one of only a few schools in England, that ensure students study both French and Spanish during their timetable in Year 7 and in Year 8. Students do half a year in one Language, then use their skills acquired to tackle their second language half way through the academic year. 

Students go beyond the priorities of the National Curriculum and follow a rich curriculum which covers the full depth and breadth of the language, avoiding ‘shortcuts’ so we develop confident and keen students by the end of Year 8. The majority of these student will be ready to continue with the GCSE course. Those who wish to study other subjects will have enjoyed their lessons and will be confident to go to France or Spain in the future and put their languages skills into practice.

Year 7

Students study a term and a half of both Spanish and French. At the end of the summer term, students then opt for the language they wish to study for the rest of Key Stage 3.

Year 8

In year 8, students study either French or Spanish. 

For students who speak another language at home, we encourage early entry GCSE at the summer term of Year 9 or Year 10. 

What skills students develop

Studying a foreign language provides students with the opportunity to develop a number of skills including:

• Literacy, oracy and phonics
• Verbal communication
• Team work
• Independent learning
• Reading for detail and gist

How students are assessed

Students' class work will be marked on a regular basis as per the school marking policy and constructive ‘next step’ comments for improvement will be provided. Students will carry out a Tri-Weekly piece of work per half term which is deep marked, followed by end of topic Key Assessments. Students are assessed across the four skills of listening, reading, writing & speaking.

Homework

Homework in languages is set twice over the two week timetable and focuses on developing the skill of writing in the target language, reading for gist and the consolidation of vocabulary and grammar. All students will join a ‘Memrise,’ an online learning platform for vocabulary where they will practice the module vocabulary as part of their homework. Students will then be tested with vocabulary tests in class to check their learning and knowledge. Those students who go the extra mile to learn their vocabulary can win a ‘Golden Ticket’ for 100% on a vocabulary test and will then be entered for the £20 prize draw at the end of each half term.

How parents can help

• Ask questions about what your child has learnt in languages and encourage them to teach you some useful phrases. 
• Help them with vocabulary revision by testing them and promote the importance of language learning which will open up future opportunities.
• Encourage them to be resilient in their learning, practise and check all their work carefully.

Extra Curricular Activities

Year 8 students can attend Languages club once a week where they will study the Language they are currently not studying in timetabled lessons to maintain their Language skills in French and/or Spanish.

For students who speak another language at home, we encourage early entry GCSE at the summer term of Year 9 or Year 10. 

Board and Exam Details

AQA GCSE in French or Spanish.

French Course Specification

Spanish Course Specification

Link to Personal Learning Checklists

Course Outline

Many Blenheim students choose to study a language at GCSE with a higher uptake than the National average. A GCSE in modern languages is essential for the Ebacc (English Baccalaureate). The themes of the current course are – 

• My personal world 
• Lifestyle and wellbeing 
• My neighbourhood 
• Media and technology
• Studying and my future 
• Travel and tourism

Students follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE French and Spanish courses, created and assessed through Pearson which provides the ideal course to prepare students for exams and for them to develop a high level of skill and gain an excellent grade.

The GCSE course builds on the skills gained at Key Stage 3 and this smooth transition into Key Stage 4 ensures students are confident in the learning from the start of Key Stage 4. Regular assessments and vocabulary tests give students an insight into their progress, and allows them to track their own progress and achievements. Students have three years of study at GCSE and there are no public exams until the end of year 11.

What skills students develop 

Undertaking a GCSE in a modern foreign language provides the student with the opportunity to develop: 

• Interpreting skills  
• ​Listening for detail 
• Oracy 
• Organisation of written work  
• Literacy and building vocabulary and improving grammar 
• Drawing linguistic comparisons 

How students are assessed 

Exam	Writing	25% of the qualification
Exam	Reading	25% of the qualification
Exam	Listening	25% of the qualification
Exam	Speaking	25% of the qualification

Students will be entered for the examinations at either foundation or higher tier levels for all four disciplines.

Homework 

Homework at GCSE is set over the two-week timetable. Homework focuses on developing the key skills of reading for gist and writing and consolidates key grammar and vocabulary.  All students will join a ‘Memrise,’ an online learning platform for vocabulary where they will practice the module vocabulary as part of their homework. Students will then be tested with vocabulary tests in class to check their learning and knowledge. Those students who go the extra mile to learn their vocabulary can win a ‘Golden Ticket’ for 100% on a vocabulary test and will then be entered for the £20 prize draw at the end of each half term. 

How parents can help 

• Ask questions about students' work and the topics they have covered.
• Encourage them to teach you some useful vocabulary and grammar.
• Help them with revision by testing them and promote the importance of memorising and recycling prior language learnt which will open future opportunities.
• Encourage practise wherever possible and cultivate an interest in the country by exposing them to native speech through online resources or travel.  

Useful Links 

• http://www.frenchexams.org/french_gcse_vocab_games/ 
• http://www.frenchrevision.co.uk/controle_menu_files/controle.htm# 
• http://www.wildfrench.co.uk/Year11.html 
• http://www.gcse.com/french/ 
• http://freelanguage.org/learn-french/skill-enhancement/improve-french-listening-skills 
• https://www.languagesonline.org.uk/Hotpotatoes/index.html 
• https://www.notesinspanish.com/ 
• http://spanishandumbrellas.com/mflresources/ 
• https://neiljones.org/category/spanish-ks5/ 

Extra Curricular Activities

For French we have a partner school. We have several activities per year with our partner school which includes Skype class, letter-writing to French partners and the exchange trip. The trip is the highlight of the year. During the trip students spend the morning in lessons such as Biology, Music and Maths which are, obviously, all taught in French. In the afternoons and evenings we go on excursions to the local area. 

For Spanish, we have a partner school. Spanish teachers run several activities with the partner school throughout the year including letter writing. The trip to Spain is incredibly popular with students. Students go to an activity centre in the mountains close to Valencia and do a range of extreme activities such as high ropes and rock climbing. All these activities are run by a Spanish-only speaking staff and completed with students from our partner school.