Oaks Park High School

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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

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
  • Introduction to French Language (Greetings, Numbers, Dates, Colours)
  • Telling the time
  • Talking about brothers and sisters
  • Describing your classroom
  • Discussing your likes and dislikes
  • Describing physical details and personality
  • Hobbies
  • Clothing and style
  • School Life
  • Talking about weather and seasons
  • Describing your likes and dislikes of sports and activities
  • Describing your family and friends
  • Describing where you live
  • Talking about eating habits and what you have for breakfast
  • Discovering French cultural celebrations
  • Ordering food and drink
  • Talking about plans in the future

 Year 8 French

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
  • Talking about school holidays
  • Talking about past holidays
  • Discussing amazing and disastrous holiday experiences
  • Discovering different types of festivals and celebrations
  • Being able to buy food at a market
  • Talking about digital technology
  • Talking about different leisure activities including buying a ticket at a cinema
  • Using three tenses at once (Past, Present and Future)
  • Describing your town and where you live
  • Describing your daily routine
  • Talking about moving and discovering new regions
  • Giving opinions about different sports
  • Talking about illnesses and injuries

 Year 7 Spanish

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
  • Introducing myself
  • Numbers and colours
  • Describing objects
  • School subjects
  • School life
  • Describing personality
  • Giving opinions and reasons
  • Talking about my family
  • Pets
  • Describing appearance and character
  • Talking about my town
  • Describing my home
  • Talking about activities I do at home
  • Free time
  • Telling the time
  • Sports
  • Opinions on activities
  • Talking about future plans
  • Describing my town in detail
  • Responding to invitations
  • Weather
  • My weekend plans

 Year 8 Spanish

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
  • Presenting myself
  • Describing friends
  • Describing celebrities
  • Daily routine
  • Nationalities
  • Places in town
  • Making plans
  • Invitations
  • Making excuses
  • Talking about other peoples’ points of view
  • Talking about past holidays
  • Discussing travel
  • Talking about past activities
  • Expressing opinions on past events
  • Talking about past events in detail
  • Mealtimes
  • Shopping
  • In the restaurant
  • Talking about a past meal
  • Likes and dislikes
  • Clothes
  • School uniform
  • Discussing preferences
  • Clothes in other countries
  • Barcelona
  • Types of shop
  • Giving and asking for directions
  • Describing a holiday in a city

 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) 

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
  • Discussing extra-curricular activities
  • Describing your friends using 3rd person
  • Describing birthday celebrating
  • Discussing what you are going to wear in the future
  • Talking about your future plans and ambitions

    What you used to be like in the past

    Describing past school life

  • Discussing eating habits
  • Talking about animals and the natural world
  • Talking about the environment and how to help the planet in the future
  • Discussing where you would like to visit in the future and travelling the world
  • Exploring events in the francophone world.
  • Talking about what you do online.
  • Saying what you do to stay active.
  • Talking about what you watch.
  • Making plans to go out,
  • Saying what you did last weekend

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) 

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
  • Talking about your identity
  • Talking about your weekend routine
  • Discussing friends and friendship 
  • Describing your favourite celebrity
  • Talking about positive role models
  • Talking about special celebrations and traditions
  • Talking about school subjects and school life
  • Discussing school rules
  • Talking about making progress at school
  • Talking about what school used to be like when you were younger
  • Talking about learning languages
  • Describing and giving opinions about dishes
  • Talking about meals and mealtimes
  • Talking about good mental health
  • Discussing unhealthy lifestyle choices
  • Saying what you will do to improve your life
  • Talking about lifestyle changes
  • Talking about holidays and accommodation
  • Talking about your ideal holiday
  • Discussing what you can see and do on holiday
  • Talking about festivals
  • Reviewing and booking holiday accommodation
  • Talking about staycation activities
  • Talking about geography and the climate
  • Talking about environmental problems
  • Discussing how we can work together to protect the environment
  • Talking about day-to-day actions to protect the environment

    Discussing new technologies

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)

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

  • Describing your town or village
  • Asking for and understanding directions
  • Talking about shopping for clothes
  • Describing your ideal home
  • Talking about visiting another town or city
  • Talking about summer plans Talking about future plans and hopes
  • Talking about reality TV and influencers
  • Talking about possible future career paths
  • Discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different jobs
  • Consolidation and revision in preparation for exams
  • Consolidation and revision in preparation for exams

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

French

Spanish 

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
Life for the marginalised
How criminals are treated

Unit 3

Artistic culture in the French-speaking world

A culture proud of its heritage
Contemporary francophone music
Cinema: the 7th art form

Unit 4

Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world

Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment
Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?
Politics and immigration

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)
Cyberspace (El ciberespacio)
Equal rights (La igualdad de los sexos)

Unit 2

Artistic culture in the Hispanic world

Modern day idols (La influencia de los ídolos)
Spanish regional identity (La identidad regional en España)
Cultural heritage (El patrimonio cultural)

Unit 3

Multiculturalism in Hispanic society

Immigration (La inmigración)
Racism (El racismo)
Integration (La convivencia)

Unit 4

Aspects of political life in Hispanic society

Today's youth, tomorrow's citizens (Jóvenes de hoy, ciudadanos del mañana)
Monarchies and dictatorships (Monarquías y dictaduras)
Popular movements (Movimientos populares)

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!