Kings Ely senior
Academic
Modern Foreign Languages
Our aim is to instil a passion and enjoyment for languages and different cultures alike.
We nurture everyone’s potential and aspire to develop confident communicators with an outward perspective on the world. Trips, debating, and drama are embedded in our extensive extra-curricular programme.
Our priority is to guide students towards the completion of the GCSE course, but also to teach a life skill that will prove useful in our contemporary globalised world. Consequently, embedded in the course, there are many opportunities to put the GCSE content into practice with a well-thought out range of extracurricular activities supporting our courses.
Our staff come with a wealth of expertise and experience beyond the classroom, teaching with creativity and an awareness of the importance of multilingual students in an ever-globalised economy.
Our focus is on progress and achievement as well as enjoyment.
GCSE French |
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Following on from Year 9, the course covers topics such as Francophone festivals, social issues, family and friends amongst others. A wealth of traditional and more innovative resources is used to ensure every student achieves their full potential and remains engaged. One lesson a week is based in the state-of-the-art language laboratory where students practise listening and speaking skills at their own speed allowing for more in-depth differentiation. Students also get to apply their knowledge in small groups with our very own language assistant. We follow the AQA GCSE syllabus and the exam includes listening, speaking, reading and writing assessments worth 25% each. A rich extra-curricular programme – debating, exchange, drama competition etc. – allows students to embrace the cultural aspect of the language whilst feeling more confident about their own ability. |
GCSE German |
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As well as learning to communicate in German in a wide variety of everyday situations, we emphasise the importance of learning about German culture. Interest and motivation is ensured through the use of a range of authentic and up to date media and material to which young people can relate. In addition to regular exposure to feature films, satellite TV and various reading material from German speaking countries, the use of ICT is strongly emphasised. With regular lessons in the IT suite or with their own devices in the classroom, all students have easy access to engaging materials on the school intranet as well as numerous web-based learning platforms, including interactive exercises in order to practise, revise and enhance their skills in the language. The school enjoys close links with the Gymnasium Remchingen near Karlsruhe in the South West of Germany, which provides opportunities for contact with pen friends, through letters or video diaries as well as an exchange programme. |
GCSE Spanish |
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This course is taught in a bespoke and exciting way following the teaching as from Year 9. Traditional techniques are combined with the latest technologies providing a Blended Learning experience which motivates and facilitates learning. Textbooks have been replaced by a wealth of digital and interactive resources created especially for each cohort of students. Small and relaxed group, oral sessions with our Spanish Assistant also take place periodically. Our wide range of extra-curricular activities (Reading Competitions, Spanish Debating and Drama competitions to mention just a few) helps students to put their linguistic skills into practice outside the classroom, while allowing them to enhance their confidence in oral skills. Looking further ahead, the combination of all these different activities will lead to a smooth transition to A Level study while acquiring a deep understanding of both Spanish language and culture, beyond Spain. |