An Overview

Within the Department we teach three languages. French/German is taught to alternate years across the whole cohort in year 7. In year 8 approximately 85% of children start a second language. We offer French/ German or Italian. These continue right through until the end of KS3, when they choose their options. In KS4, both German and French are continued with an equal number of children taking either language. Italian is offered and numbers are increasing. The number of dual linguists is also increasing.

We aim to use the target language almost exclusively, throughout both Key Stages. The children are encouraged to understand, and reply to, classroom instructions from the start of learning the language. In KS4 the lessons are conducted as far as possible in the target language. Within Listening, the children hear a variety of native speakers, both on tape and video.

In KS3 we address our Special Needs children by setting the children from the start of year 8 into smaller groups, in order for them to be able to work at a slower pace and also to maximise the amount of help they can be given. These groups work to a differentiated Scheme of Work, as well as having the benefit of one, or sometimes two, extra classroom assistants. They have two hours of their first foreign language per week, as well as one hour each of extra English and Maths. We have also introduced a ‘Fast Track’ system for those who have shown an aptitude for language in Year 7. These pupils sit their GCSE in a language in Year 9, which happened for the first time in 2004, with outstanding successes.

In KS4 the children are encouraged to continue with a modern foreign language. We are adopting the 'Language Ladder' so that pupils will have a level of achievement at the end of year 9.

Our results in the Department are steadily improving and are among the best in the County, we also now offer post G.C.S.E. courses in KS4 for our 'Fast-Track' pupils.

Within our Schemes of Work we also cater for the linguistically able child through extension work, and differentiation of books. Our Schemes of Work have been updated to include the new KS3 framework. We also run ‘Help’ sessions at lunchtime for children wishing to have more individual attention. We have links with both Wolverhampton & Worcester Universities. During past years we have also had a native German speaker in school, for eight weeks, working with small groups of pupils encouraging oral work. In March Year 11 pupils attend a language Booster Day at the Grove Language School.

We run several lunchtime ‘clubs’. On a Monday there are revision sessions in both French and German for year 11, and on other days there are general help session for each language. This is also provided after school in L@terClubs. We have just started a Spanish Club for KS3 on Wednesdays.

We have many successful trips to France, Germany and Italy. Amongst them we offer in year 10 a long standing exchange (33 years) with Blumberg in Southern Germany, where the children visit for 10 days. We have a popular trip to Italy, run in conjunction with the Food Technology Department , and a week long French trip run together with the P.E. Department.

Within KS3 the children are assessed according to their National Curriculum Level, and this is reported in line with the school Assessment Policy. In KS4, the children follow the Edexcel board GCSE exam course and are assessed after each two modules. We have developed a ‘self help’ method of assessment for use within the Department. We are also introducing the JLLA course(Junior Language Leader Award) for our KS4 pupils.