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Sixth Form Subjects
French, German & Spanish |
Modern Foreign LanguagesFrench, German and SpanishThe AS and A Level Modern Languages programmes build on the practical skills acquired at GCSE. They develop highly effective oral and written communication skills, of crucial importance in the world of business and beyond. Furthermore, they provide in introduction to the culture, literature and thinking of France, Germany, Spain and Latin America. The skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking are practised and developed within a rich variety of topic areas, including Society and the Working World at AS level and Environment and Citizenship and the International Context at A Level. Literature (or extensively researched aspects of the target language society) is introduced and examined in the final year. Many of the six units involve the use of more than one skill. The synoptic unit, for example, examines all skills except the oral, which counts elsewhere for 30% of the examinations at both levels. Underlying all the units is the importance of a thorough knowledge and application of grammar. Girls tell us that they enjoy the variety of their Language courses. Tasks will include listening to an audio tape, watching a video of a documentary or film, preparing an oral presentation, writing a traditional discursive essay, translating, doing a grammar exercise and many more. In their studies, girls will acquire and practise many transferable skills, such as the ability to analyse and evaluate, to think independently and creatively, to write convincingly, to work with complex information to a tight deadline and, above all, to present their views clearly and confidently to others. To prepare for and support their studies, girls are strongly encouraged to visit France, Spain or Germany (or another country where the target language is spoken) in the summer holidays prior to starting their course and, for A Level students, in the holiday between the Lower and Upper Sixth Years. Ideally they should stay with a French, German or Spanish speaking family and, if possible, attend a language course. All girls who enjoy languages and who have already shown that they have good linguistic skills should certainly consider very carefully taking one or more languages to A Level. Effective communication in at least one foreign language is no longer just an asset; it it fast becoming a requirement in an increasing number of fields of work. GCSE alone will not be considered sufficient evidence of competence. An AS Level in a language provides breadth for pupils studying Sciences as well as Art subjects. It demonstrates communication skills which will stand girls in good stead in future studies and in the world of work. Every year girls from Francis Holland go on to read Languages at university, often combining them with another subject, such as Management. |
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