Modern Languages Sixth Form

Specification Overview

The Modern Languages Department will be preparing students for CCEA examinations in French, Spanish and German.  The study of an A level language will enable students to achieve oral and written proficiency in French, Spanish or German and will give them a cultural understanding of the countries where the language is spoken.  The course is a basis for further study of languages at university but is also an excellent complement to other subjects and a respected academic discipline.

AS Course

This is the first half of the A level course.  It is a stepping stone to the full A level qualification.  You can take AS on its own as a complement to another course of study or you can continue to A2 level.  You will have two teachers, one for 3 periods who will teach grammar, translation and presentation and another who will teach the topics outlined below for listening, reading and speaking in 5 periods.  Students are given the opportunity to further practise their oral skills either individually or in pairs with the Language Assistant.

Contexts for Learning:

• Relationships - family life and relationships/ personal and interpersonal relationships
• Health and Lifestyle - physical well-being/ mental well-being/ interests
• Young people in society - influences on yound people/ education and career planning.

A2 Course

Students continuing to A2 will find the topics studied more intellectually challenging and will be taught to present information, offer personal opinions, present arguments and analyse ideas.  They will also embark upon the study of a literary text and a societal theme.  You will continue to have two teachers for 4 periods each, one teaching grammar, prose translation, Literature and Society and another who will teach the topics outlined below for listening, reading and speaking.  You will also have a period with the Language Assistant.  In addition Sixth Form study trips abroad are organised where possible.

Contexts for learning:

• Local and Global Citizenship - equality / multi-cultural society/ democracy and conflict
• Environmental Awareness - conservation / energy / climate change

The literary text studied is chosen from:

• French - Camus’ "LEtranger" / Gide’s "La Symphonie Pastorale"/ Sartre’s "Les Mains Sales"
• Spanish - Buero vallejo’s "El concierto de San Ovidio" / Carmen Laforet’s "Nada" / Laura Esquivel’s "Como agua para chocolate"
• German - Durrenmatt’s "Die Physiker" / Frisch’s "Biederman und die Brandstifter" / Boll’s "Die verlorene der Katherina Blum"

The societal themes for the discussion during the speaking test are

• A film
• A region
• A cultural espect
• A historical period of the target language country.

How is the subject assessed?

AS Module 1: Speaking -  35% of AS (17.5% of A2)

• Presentation - 3-4 minutes on a topic of interest and prepared in advance, followed by a brief discussion.
• Conversation - 8-9 minutes about yourself, home, family, hobbies, future hopes, plans and ambitions with a visiting examiner.

AS Module 2: Listening, Reading, Writing 65% of AS (32.5% of A2)

• Listening - (30 minutes). Students answer questions based on two passages using a personal CD player over which they have full control.  The question types will vary and will be based on authentic sources from the radio and TV.
• Reading - (1 hour 15 minutes)  This section includes a comprehension and a translation into English.  The stimulus material will come from magazines, newspapers, Internet, books and reports and the question types will vary.
• Writing - (1 hour) Students must write an essay in response to a stimulus text.  The response must be approximately 200-250 words long.

A2 Module 1 :Speaking 17.5% of A2

• Discusssion on societal theme - 5 minutes discussion on a topic chosen by the candidate and prepared in advance.
• Conversation -  10 minutes as above.

A2 Module 2 : Listening, Reading, Writing 32.5% of A2

• Listening  - (35 minutes) as above.
• Reading - (1 hour 25 minutes). This section includes a comprehension and a translation from English into the target language.
• Writing - (1 hour). Students answer one essay on a literary text.  The response must be 300-350 words long.

Who can I get more information from?

If you are interested in Languages and communication and you enjoy learning about other cultures and ways of life, then this course could be suitable for you.  Students should have AT LEAST a GCSE grade B in the relevant language as this is a rigorous academic course.  Improving your language skills at AS or A2 can increase opportunities in a number of careers such as Law, Accountancy, Banking, Marketing, Sales, Journalism, the Media, Tourism, PR, the Service Industry etc.  Please speak to Mrs Eakin or your language teachers if you have any questions.  More information is also available at www.ccea.org.uk.