Modern Languages
The study of Modern Foreign Languages teaches and encourages respect for others: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature. Foreign languages expand a student’s view of the world, liberalise one's experiences, and makes them more flexible and tolerant. With France and Spain remaining the most visited countries for British tourists French and Spanish continue to be relevant subject for students today.
KS3 French & Spanish
Modern Foreign Language lessons at Oaks Park High School are centred around interactive and creative games and teamwork led by a successful team of skilled teachers. Key Stage 3 French students build on their existing knowledge of Modern Foreign Languages by enhancing their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. By the end of the course our students grow in confidence and create the best foundations for GCSEs in French as well as many other subjects. This is because the course helps them to develop various transferable skills for communication, literacy and problem solving. The topics covered enable students to enhance their cultural awareness, engage in critical thinking and explore their creativity.
Year 7 French
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Year 8 French
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Year 7 Spanish
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Year 8 Spanish
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How will pupils be assessed?
Students complete weekly homework. This will consist of spelling/phrase learning for class tests or a worksheet designed to consolidate classroom learning.
Students complete continual, formative mini-assessments in class and termly summative assessments which assess five skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation. For these assessments, students will receive a grade for each of the skills.
How can you support your child?
Checking what homework they have been set/when it is due and offering assistance in completing this. Testing your child on vocabulary and grammar using vocabulary lists they have been given and notes they have made in class.
KS4 French
The current cohort of Year 9 and 10 students are following the AQA GSCE French 2024 specification.
The current cohort of Year 11 students will be the final cohort to sit exams under the Edexcel 2016 specification.
All topics have a focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing. We will also develop our skills of translation and literature comprehension within each topic.
Year 9 (AQA GSCE French 2024 specification)
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The speaking exam consists of three tasks. Task 1 is a role play, task 2 is a read aloud task with follow up questions requiring a personal response and task 3 is a discussion about a picture which leads on to a further conversation.
Year 10 (AQA GSCE French 2024 specification)
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Year 11 (Edexcel 2016 specification)
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
| Describing community projects Talking about what you normally do on holiday Talking about holidays (past, present, future) Talking about an ideal holiday Booking and reviewing hotels Ordering in a restaurant Talking about travelling Buying souvenirs Talking about holiday disasters Revising school subjects |
Talking about your school Comparing school in the UK and French-speaking countries Discussing school rules Talking about getting the best out of school Talking about a school exchange Discussing jobs and work preferences Discussing career choices Talking about plans, hopes and wishes Discussing the importance of languages Applying for jobs |
Understanding case studies Talking about what makes you tick Discussing problems facing the world Talking about protecting the environment Discussing ethical shopping Talking about volunteering Discussing big events |
Year 11 25/26 (AQA 2024 Specification)
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The speaking exam consists of three tasks. Task 1 is a role play, task 2 is a read aloud task with follow up questions requiring a personal response and task 3 is a discussion about a picture which leads on to a further conversation.
How will pupils be assessed?
Students complete weekly homework. This will consist of either online homework or spelling/phrase learning for class tests.
Students complete continual, formative mini-assessments in class and termly summative assessments which assess five skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation. For these assessments, students will receive a grade for each of the skills.
At the end of the course, students will sit four papers. All four exams will be either at foundation level or higher level. Paper 1 is listening and understanding in French, paper 2 is speaking, paper 3 is reading and responding in Spanish and paper 4 is writing in French.
The speaking exam consists of three tasks. Task 1 is a role play, task 2 is questions based on a picture and task 3 is a conversation.
The reading paper includes a translation task from French into English.
The writing paper includes 2-3 open responses and a translation from English into French.
How can you support your child?
Checking what homework they have been set/when it is due and offering assistance in completing this. Testing your child on vocabulary and grammar using vocabulary lists they have been given and notes they have made in class.
Ensuring your child has purchased the Edexcel revision workbooks and guides and completes independent learning from said guides.
KS4 Spanish
EDEXCEL
All topics have a focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing. We will also develop our skills of translation and literature comprehension within each topic.
Year 9
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
| Talking about things you like Talking about your week Talking about films Talking about a birthday Talking about life as a celebrity Saying what you have to do at work Saying what job you would like to do Talking about your future Describing your job |
Talking about diet Talking about an active lifestyle Talking about your daily routine Talking about getting fit Talking about ailments and illnesses Talking about children’s’ rights Talking about fair trade Talking about recycling Talking about how a town has changed |
Meeting and greeting people Talking about a treasure hunt Discussing buying souvenirs Saying what you will do Focus on listening: Understanding descriptions of days out Focus on reading: Coping with authentic texts Focus on speaking skills: Giving a presentation about fitness and routine Focus on writing: Writing about fundraising Focus on speaking: Making yourself understood |
Year 10
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
| Discussing holidays and weather Saying what you do in summer Talking about holiday preferences Saying what you did on holiday Describing where you stayed Booking accommodation and dealing with problems. Giving an account of a holiday in the past. Giving opinions about school subjects Describing school uniform and the school day Talking about subjects and teachers |
Describing your school Talking about school rules and problems Talking about plans for a school exchange Talking about activities and achievements Talking about socialising and family Describing people Talking about social networks Making arrangements Talking about reading preferences Describing people |
Talking about friends and family Talking about free-time activities Talking about TV programmes and films Talking about what you usually do Talking about sports Talking about what’s trending Discussing different types of entertainment Talking about who inspires you |
Year 11
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
| Talking about places in a town Talking about shops Describing the features of a region Planning what to do Shopping for clothes and presents Talking about problems in a town Describing a visit in the past Describing mealtimes Talking about illnesses and injuries Talking about typical foods |
Describing a special day Ordering in a restaurant Talking about a music festival Talking about different jobs Talking about how you earn money Talking about work experience Talking about the importance of learning languages Applying for a summer job Discussing gap years Discussing plans for the future |
Describing types of houses Talking about healthy eating Considering global issues Talking about local actions Discussing healthy lifestyles Talking about work experience Talking about international sporting events Talking about natural disasters |
How will pupils be assessed?
Students complete homework twice a week. This will consist of either online homework, a worksheet designed to consolidate classroom learning or spelling/phrase learning for class tests.
Students complete continual, formative mini-assessments in class and termly summative assessments which assess five skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation. For these assessments, students will receive a grade for each of the skills.
At the end of the course, students will sit four papers. All four exams will be either at foundation level or higher level. Paper 1 is listening and understanding in Spanish, paper 2 is speaking, paper 3 is reading and responding in Spanish and paper 4 is writing in Spanish.
The speaking exam consists of three tasks. Task 1 is a role play, task 2 is questions based on a picture and task 3 is a conversation.
The reading paper includes a translation task from Spanish into English.
The writing paper includes 2-3 open responses and a translation from English into Spanish.
How can you support your child?
Checking what homework they have been set/when it is due and offering assistance in completing this. Testing your child on vocabulary and grammar using vocabulary lists they have been given and notes they have made in class. Ensuring your child has purchased the Edexcel revision workbooks and guides and completes independent learning from said guides
KS5
| Course | A-Level French |
| Examining Board | AQA |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? |
The course is great for those who enjoy French, History, Politics, Sociology, Film and Literature. It includes stimulating content to develop their linguistic skills and understanding of the culture and society of countries where French is spoken.
It's an opportunity to study technological and social change, looking at diversity and the benefits it brings. You will study highlights of French-speaking artistic culture, including francophone music and cinema, and learn about political engagement and who wields political power in the French-speaking world.
Students also explore the influence of the past on present-day French-speaking communities. Throughout their studies, they will learn the language in the context of French-speaking countries and the issues and influences which have shaped them. Students will study texts and film and have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice. |
| Unit 1 |
Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends The changing nature of family The 'cyber-society' The place of voluntary work |
| Unit 2 |
Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues Positive features of a diverse society |
| Unit 3 |
Artistic culture in the French-speaking world A culture proud of its heritage |
| Unit 4 |
Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment |
| Assessment AS- |
3 Exams Listening, reading & writing Writing Speaking |
| Assessment A-Level |
3 Exams Listening, reading & writing Writing Speaking |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses | Any career in a country where the language is spoken. Linguistics Translation Journalism and publishing Hospitality Sector Economics Social and Political Sciences Research |
| Suggested links to resources |
Coming soon! |
| Course | A-Level Spanish |
| Examining Board | AQA |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? |
The course is great for those who enjoy Spanish, History, Politics, Sociology, Film and Literature. It includes stimulating content to develop their linguistic skills and understanding of the culture and society of countries where French is spoken.
It's an opportunity to study technological and social change, looking at diversity and the benefits it brings. You will study highlights of Spanish-speaking artistic culture, including francophone music and cinema, and learn about political engagement and who wields political power in the Spanish-speaking world.
Students also explore the influence of the past on present-day Spanish-speaking communities. Throughout their studies, they will learn the language in the context of Spanish-speaking countries and the issues and influences which have shaped them. Students will study texts and film and have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice. |
| Unit 1 |
Aspects of Hispanic society Modern and traditional values (Los valores tradicionales y modernos) |
| Unit 2 |
Artistic culture in the Hispanic world Modern day idols (La influencia de los ídolos) |
| Unit 3 |
Multiculturalism in Hispanic society Immigration (La inmigración) |
| Unit 4 |
Aspects of political life in Hispanic society Today's youth, tomorrow's citizens (Jóvenes de hoy, ciudadanos del mañana) |
| Assessment AS- |
3 Exams Listening, reading & writing Writing Speaking |
| Assessment A-Level |
3 Exams Listening, reading & writing Writing Speaking |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses | Any career in a country where the language is spoken. Linguistics Translation Journalism and publishing Hospitality Sector Economics Social and Political Sciences Research |
| Suggested links to resources |
Coming soon! |
