Subjects: Modern Languages (French; German; Spanish; Mandarin)
Overview
At the Royal High School we offer a fantastic range of languages in the Sixth Form College. We run A level courses in French, German, Spanish and Italian. We also offer IB diploma courses in French, German and Spanish. In addition there is the opportunity to attend Beginners' Mandarin and Russian classes as part of our extra-curricular programme.
We believe that learning a language is an essential part of an all round education. It will help to broaden linguistic and cultural horizons, offer a greater insight into the wider international world and deepen understanding of history, philosophy, art and literature.
Learning a language opens up career opportunities; linguists are highly sought after for their transferable skills across a range of careers. Many of our students go on to study languages at university, combining their languages with a vast range of other subjects. Recent leavers have gone on to study German and Law, Spanish and History, Italian and Design, French and European studies.
Students have the opportunity to participate in exchanges and visits, take part in theatre and cinema visits, attend lectures and study days in the language and enjoy cross-curricular workshops.
All students can access all our audio material via their tablet PC, anywhere, anytime on the school site, offering fantastic opportunities for independent learning. Students can also make the most of the latest software and online resources which we incorporate into our Sixth form teaching.
The library is well stocked with foreign language DVDs and music CDs allowing students to broaden their cultural and linguistic experience. In addition we have a wide range of reference texts to meet all academic needs.
Study of a language at Sixth form level is engaging and enjoyable. Our linguists are passionate about languages and the fantastic opportunities that they offer.
AS and A Level
We follow the AQA specification at AS and A2 level, taking four units over the two years, two at the end of Year 12 and two at the end of Year 13.
The AS course focuses on improving your listening, reading, writing and speaking skills along with broadening your knowledge of contemporary culture in countries where the target language is spoken. Topics of study include: popular culture, the media, health and fitness, and family relationships.
The oral consists of two parts; discussion of a stimulus card followed by discussion of three topics, one of which is chosen by the candidate.
The listening, reading and writing skills are incorporated into the remaining paper.
Students receive 10 hours of tuition a fortnight, an hour of which will be spent with the language assistant focussing on oral skills.
For the A2 course a wide variety of topics are studied: the environment, immigration, racism and contemporary social issues such as crime, attitudes to wealth and poverty and the impact of science, technology and medical research. In addition, two cultural topics from a list of five are studied. These encompass areas as diverse as a geographical region, a period of 20th century history, the work of an author, dramatist, poet, film director, architect, musician or painter from a target language-speaking country.
The A2 oral consists of two parts; discussion of a stimulus card based on the main topic areas for A2 and conversation covering the two cultural topics studied by the candidate.
The final exam incorporates listening, reading and writing.
Students receive 10 hours of tuition a fortnight, an hour of which will be spent with the language assistant focussing on oral skills.
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA
French, German and Spanish are offered at both Standard and Higher level. In either case you study at your chosen level for two years. At Higher level students receive 8 hours of tuition a fortnight and Standard level students receive 6 hours of tuition a fortnight, including an hour with the language assistant focussing on oral skills. The IB course focuses slightly more on language manipulation skills rather than content, with the aim being that IB linguists are able to deal with unseen language in any context and for any purpose. The course also explores topics such as the media, tourism and travel and youth issues. At Higher Level we also study abstract ideas and literary texts.
The assessment structure differs from that of A-level, there being less weight on listening and oral skills than on reading and writing. The emphasis is on language (range of structure and vocabulary as well as accuracy and fluency), cultural interaction (register and style of language) and message (development of ideas and insight). There are three sections in the final examination at the end of Year 13. These are: Paper 1 (Reading and Writing); Paper 2 (Writing) and the oral and listening exam that consists of an individual oral (assessed externally) and a group, interactive oral (assessed internally). Importance is attached to the range of texts and sources used in teaching (from literary texts to information booklets or factual texts).
French
French is widely spoken on five continents, in 43 countries, by approximately 200 million people. It is one of the principal languages of diplomacy and of important international organisations. Furthermore the prestige of French art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine and cinema makes French a culturally important foreign language. French literature is one of the richest and most influential of the modern European world, with authors such as Racine, Molière, Zola, Camus, Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. France is also our nearest continental neighbour with an immense variety of landscapes and is therefore an ideal holiday destination. It is a beautiful language and gives you a real sense of achievement as your range and fluency develops. There are so many reasons why continuing to learn French will enhance your life and open doors in the future, for both recreational enjoyment and increased employment opportunities.
Currently four members of staff teach French, including two French nationals, one of whom is our "assistante".
Resources
AS / A2 level: We use the Nelson Thornes French text books and online resources (Kerboodle) which are specifically produced to prepare pupils for the AQA French examinations. In addition, up-to date material is obtained from the internet and from the Authentik magazines which cover the main topic areas. Students will also be issued with "Advanced French Vocabulary", a book which lists the key vocabulary for the various topic areas and provides a list of useful web sites for further research. In Year 13, a work of literature and a French film will be chosen for detailed study.
IB: Students start in Year 12 with Elan 1 and use Zénith in Year 13. These text books are used selectively and are complemented with up to date material from web sites and publications such as Authentik. Students are encouraged to keep a learning journal and to keep up with the news by watching the TV5 news bulletins on the internet. Higher Level students will be introduced to French poetry and literature as well as French films.
Opportunities
Any student who chooses to study French should make sure that they visit France or a French speaking country at least once during their studies. We would encourage students to consider participating in the Bristol-Bordeaux Exchange scheme which has been running for over 60 years. They can choose either a week long study visit at Easter or they can take part in the full exchange, going to Bordeaux at Easter or during the summer holidays.
German
It might surprise you to find out that German is the most widely spoken language in Europe. More people speak German as their native language than any other language in Europe, since Germany's 83 million inhabitants make it the most populous European nation. It is also an official language of Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. While learning German can connect you to 120 million native speakers around the globe, it is the 3rd most popular foreign language taught worldwide and the second most popular in Europe and Japan, after English.
Knowing German creates business opportunities. Germany has the third largest economy in the world and is the economic powerhouse of the European Union. Germany's economic strength equals business opportunities. The Japanese, who have the 2nd most powerful economy in the world, understand the business advantages that a knowledge of German will bring them: 68% of Japanese students study German.
German-speaking countries have a rich cultural heritage. Germany is often referred to as the land of "Dichter und Denker" -- of poets and thinkers. Goethe, Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka, and Hermann Hesse are just a few authors whose names and works are well-known internationally. The world of classical music is inseparable from the names of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Strauss, and Wagner to name only a few. From the magnificent architecture of medieval buildings to the avant garde Bauhaus movement, Germans have made substantial contributions to world art and architecture.
The German department currently has five members of staff who teach German, including our German assistant, who is a German national.
Resources
AS/A2 level: We use the Nelson Thornes German text books and online resources which are linked to the AQA German examinations. Students are also provided with "Advanced German Vocabulary" and a grammar book. In addition up-to-date material is obtained from the internet and Authentik magazines. German films and music are studied as part of the course.
IB: The main text book used is Zeitgeist but this is supplemented with material from a wide variety of sources. Students keep a journal and are encouraged to follow German news on the internet. German films and music are studied as part of the course. Higher Level students will also be introduced to German literature.
Opportunities
At every level in the sixth form we encourage students to discover as much as possible about German life and culture. This can happen in lessons, in private study time or by participating in the exchange or a study trip to Berlin. We are fortunate to be able to offer an annual exchange to our link school in Münster and a study visit to Berlin if demand is high enough.
Spanish
‘A' level and IB Spanish is for people who are really interested in language and the culture of Spain and Latin America. We look at grammar in much more detail and the range of language we cover is much wider. We look at the issues that are of importance to people living in the countries: immigration, poverty, terrorism, racial equality as well as looking at cultural issues in film, dance, art and sport. Most importantly we look at these from the perspective of the peoples of Spain and Latin America. How does nationality affect attitude? Do our own beliefs and customs have validity in other cultures?
Resources
We use authentic materials whenever possible as well as the course-book Nelson Thornes AQA for AS and A2 with a full on-line back of resources accessible at home and at school. Students and teachers have their own tablet PC in the Sixth Form that are used to the full in Spanish so that every lesson involves connection to the complete range of learning offered by Internet and Intranet resources. We teach in the target language and we expect our students to develop the language and the understanding to be able to discuss and express opinions with confidence and enjoyment.
Opportunities
We go to films, plays, lectures and exhibitions as they occur. This year we organised a trip to Granada with history department and have introduced some film workshops as preparation for our study of film in Year 13. We also offer university-style grammar workshops. We organise guest speakers every year as part of our aim to make the study of Spanish as close an experience to living in the country as is possible in the West of England.
This autumn, our Sixth Form trip to Spain will be the chance to do an exchange-based trip with our partner school in Valencia. Students will go to language school during the day and live and go out with their exchanges in the evenings and at weekends. Our students are familiar with moving around Valencia and love the chance to be independent with support in this most beautiful city.
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