LANGUAGE PROVISION

The department offers French as the main language for GCSE and A level.This year German is also available for GCSE. There is also the opportunity to study Spanish, Panjabi and Japanese, to GCSE and A level. Pupils at St George's have the unique opportunity to study four languages in year 8 with French as their main language and beginners courses in Spanish, Japanese, and Panjabi. In year 9 they can then choose one of these languages to study alongside their French course. We belive that pupils are thus offered a good balance of traditional MFL subjects, a useful community language, and a rare opportunity to study language not often available in schools.

KEY STAGE 3

YEAR 7;

All students study French in year 7. The course book used is Métro This course is modern and exciting and has a work book for students’ use at home as well as an interactive CD Rom, which teachers use in the classroom.

YEAR 8

In year 8 pupils will continue with their study of French but during the year will also follow a beginners course in Spanish, Japanese, and Panjabi. At the end of yr 8 pupils can opt to continue with French and they may also choose one of the other languages they have studied during the year.

YEAR 9

In year 9 pupils will start their GCSE course. we are currently using the Linear AQA course. This early start to the GCSE course allows opportunity to study the Key Stage 4 topics in greater depth and thus better prepares pupils for their exams.

For more details of the Key Stage 4 course see below.

KEY STAGES 4 AND 5

YEARS 10 AND 11;

In years 10 and 11 we offer full G.C.S.E courses in French, Spanish,and Japanese, following the AQA course or Edexcel (Japanese)

The AQA course is based around 4 main themes: My World Holiday and travel Work and Lefestyle The young Person in Society

Students will be expected to produce three pieces of coursework from these areas. The exam is assessed by formal examinations in Listening and Reading, and a short Oral examination. Writing is only assessed via coursework. THE SIXTH FORM;

We offer the AQA A/AS level syllabus in French , and Spanish(depending on numbers) where students increase their level of grammatical knowledge of the language and study authentic and topical material. Japanese is alos offered for A level study.

TRIPS , EXCHANGES AND CULTURAL EVENTS

We hope and expect students will take part in the many trips, exchanges and International events organised by the school. In previous years pupils have been to France, Germany, Spain, China, South Africa, and have taken part in African and Japanese Days at school.

There are day trips to France as well as occasional residential trips.

The Japanese exchange is now a regular and exciting fixture of the school calendar.

STAFFING

The Faculty is staffed by a wide range of experienced teachers offering several different languages.

As well as UK nationals trained in the teaching of foreign languages we have native speakers of French, Spanish, and Japanese, ensuring that the cultural as well as linguistic knowledge base of the Faculty is of a high standard.

We are a training school for language teachers. This allows us the opportunity to keep in touch with all new trends in language teaching as well as sharing our expertise with young teachers.