Modern Languages at St Augustine's

At a time when Modern Foreign Languages are in decline at GCSE and A Level they are being viewed by employers as increasingly desirable skills.

We are proud to use all our 'va-va-voom' and 'automoción' to accelerate our language teaching and motor along in top gear!

Our aims and objectives

Aims:

To develop the ability to use French or Spanish for the purposes of practical communication.
To develop an awareness of language learning.
To offer insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries where the languages are spoken and encourage positive attitudes to them.
To provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation.
To prepare pupils for public examinations.

Objectives:

To understand and respond to spoken language.
To communicate in speech.
To understand and respond to the written language.
To communicate in writing.

Ages 8 - 11

Unlike many schools we at St Augustine's believe that experienced specialist teachers are the key to success. From the word go all pupils are taught languages by a specialist teacher who is able to bring a depth and richness of experience to lessons, as well as a real love and enthusiasm for their subject.

Pupils begin learning French from Upper I (age 8).From the outset we focus on practical communication reinforced with clear explanations and practice of the grammar of the language. The lessons are pacey and dynamic. Pupils are encouraged to see learning languages as an enjoyable activity and look forward to their French lessons. We aim to exceed substantially QCA guidelines for Key Stage 2. The course materials used have clear grammatical explanations and challenging exercises that provide a solid basis for further study.

By the end of Upper II (age 11), as pupils move into the Senior School, they are normally working at an impressive level, beyond many year 8 or 9 pupils (age 12 - 14) in other schools.

Ages 11 - 16

French

As girls move into the Senior School they are well placed to advance quickly. Girls who join the School at this stage are offered lots of help to catch up, if necessary, and are carried along by the enthusiasm of their classmates.

By the end of Upper II (age 11), as pupils move into the Senior School, they are normally working at an impressive level, beyond many year 8 or 9 pupils (age 12 - 14) in other schools. In Upper IV the most able will take their GCSE a full two years early. Typically about half the girls opt to do this.

In Lower V, (age 14 -15) there then are a number of differentiated routes available to ensure every girl is able to work at her optimum level and achieve her personal best. Girls who have already achieved a good GCSE pass will have the option to continue with French to AS level over the next two years alongside their other GCSE options. Most others will opt for a one or two year course leading to GCSE.

At all levels girls at St Augustine's have the opportunity to achieve significantly beyond the average for their peers in most other schools.

Spanish

Spanish is introduced for all girls in Lower IV, (age 12 - 13). Again the girls progress rapidly because the skills required for foreign language learning are already firmly implanted. Their knowledge and understanding of grammar and linguistic structure mean they are able to move fast. We are also supported by the fact that all the girls will have studied some Latin (See Classics Department).

At the end of Upper IV, (age 13 - 14) girls opt for a GCSE course to study the following year. In nearly all cases they take the GCSE after one year, in Lower V, although a few prefer to work at a gentler pace over two.

In Upper V (age 15 - 16) some girls will have the option to work at AS level, one year early.

Russian

Russian is available as a GCSE option from Lower V. This is a two year ab-initio course which is particularly popular with higher achievers although is open to all who are interested in doing something a bit different.

Modern Languages in the Sixth Form

Age 16 - 18 Years

Key Stage 5

At Sixth Form level language lessons have an increasingly academic focus. It is expected that girls will start at this level with a sound knowledge and understanding of the language they are studying. They would be expected to express themselves effectively and have a high level of fluency in the language by the end of the course.

AS French & Spanish - Edexcel Exam Board

The topic areas studied through the medium of French or Spanish at AS level are:

Food, diet and health
Travel, transport and tourism
Current affairs and the media
Relationships, family, generations and youth concerns
Leisure and the Arts
Education, training and employment ·
Business and industry
Information Technology

At A2 level there is some study of literary texts plus the following topic areas

Energy, pollution and the environment
Politics and citizenship
Campaigning and charities
Customs, traditions and beliefs
The European Union
Worldwide problems.

Trips and Visits

At Saint Augustine's we recognise the importance of affording pupils the opportunity to use their language skills abroad in an authentic context. Here are details of some of our recent visits. The programme is varied annually but all our pupils from Form III (Year 7) upwards have the chance to participate. Learning is fun and purposeful and the up-take for these visits is high.

Destination	Visit type	Target Group
Le Touquet	Hotel accommodation. Visit to include French bread making workshop, quiz evening, visit to water-park, shopping in French market.	Form III
Bilbao	Home-stay visit with language school tuition in the mornings and cultural visits in the afternoons.	All Sixth Form Spanish Students
Tours	Home-stay visit with language tuition in the mornings and cultural visits in the afternoons.	All Sixth Form French Students
Madrid	Hotel accommodation. Combined History, Spanish and Art trip	From Upper V, upwards
Angers	Home-stay visit with language tuition in the mornings and cultural activities in the afternoons	From Form III upwards