- Languages Department
- French
- Spanish
- Languages 2 Year Course
Bienvenue! Bienvenidos! Witamy! Welcome!
From Déja Vu to Aficionado, many words that we use everyday began life in another language. Learning another language helps us find out more about English, and makes us much better at communicating in any language! With many different languages spoken in the UK, and British businesses developing links with companies around the world, speakers of other languages are a very valuable resource.
The Languages Department aims to enthuse and inspire students in language learning, to ensure that they are best placed to benefit from the global economy.
Why Learn a Language?
I don’t go on holiday to France or Spain, so what’s the point of learning French or Spanish?
Only 6% of the world has English as their first language, and 75% of the world’s population don’t speak any English at all! There are over 6 thousand languages spoken in the world, and 300 are spoken by UK school children. Here at Cantell we have more than 40 languages in our school community.
So, there is EVERY need to start learning a language as soon as you can. Perhaps even more important than this is that anyone who goes to school in countries where English is not the first language spends a significant time learning it. That means that our young people increasingly have to compete with those from other countries who have at least one language in addition to English. Perhaps it’s ironic but nowadays the fact that everyone has English makes it even more important that you learn foreign languages.
So, why else should learn a language? Here are some ideas from current Languages students:
Learning a language keeps your brain active, and uses parts that other subjects don’t! If you practice hard, it can make you smarter in other subjects too.
Learning one language makes it much easier to learn another.
If you go to another country and need help, you can ask. If they need help, you can help them.
It makes you much more open-minded to other people and their cultures.
Learning a language gives you many of the skills that employers are looking for – so it will make it easier for you to find a job.
The business world is now global – if you speak another language, you will have the edge over lots of other people.
Languages help you to travel to other countries, respect the people who live there, and communicate with them.
Languages can be useful at work, even if you work in the UK, as we live in such a multi-cultural society, there are lots of opportunities to use your language here.
But most of all – it’s challenging, rewarding, and GREAT FUN!
 French Speaking Countries |
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 Spanish Speaking Countries |
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The Learning Experience
All students at Cantell have the opportunity to experience another language – either French or Spanish is taught to all students in KS3, and a large number of students go on to study at GCSE level. In KS4, some students also study GCSE Polish, and students who speak another language at home are encouraged to consider studying it at GCSE.
Students have 6 x 50 minute lessons each fortnight at KS3, and cover a wide range of topics from talking about themselves, and their life, to discussing environmental issues. Students are encouraged to develop high levels of skill in the four key areas: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.
At KS4, students may choose to study a language at GCSE level as a one year option (12x50 minute lessons per fortnight), or as a two year course (4 or 6 x 50 minutes per fortnight).
Please look at the Year summaries and schemes of learning to find out more about topics for each year group.
Miss D. Sutton |
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Mr T. Chitty
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Mrs G. Okoroafor |
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Miss H. Taylor |
Languages Spoken:
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Mrs E. Wisneiwska |
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Homework and additional learning opportunities:
Homework is set each week, and will either be a task to complete based on classwork, or some important vocabulary to learn.
Details of homework will be recorded by students in their planner.Language learning relies on practice – students should be encouraged to take every opportunity to practice their skills – for example: chatting at home makes a big difference to their confidence in class.
The websites below will be great practice for language skills – students aren’t expected to understand all the words, but it’s good to pick out anything that has been learnt before.
Fun French Websites to try out:
This is a great website, with lots of stories, songs and poems in French – have a go at listening to the songs, and following the words, you will be able to practice your pronunciation and sing along too!
A range of French activities to try, including the chance to hear some native speakers, practice shopping phrases, and much more!
Lots of activities to help you revise for the GCSE exam – pick Higher or Foundation for each skill. Also, top exam skills section to help you with your preparation.
A great resources for learning French - create a free account online, to record your own speaking work, take part in challenges and competitions, and also revise the basics. Learn French text speak or design a football kit – it’s up to you!
Practice your listening skills with the French versions of some of our favourite children’s programmes.
These French sports programmes are excellent for GCSE students to listen for gist.
Test your reading skills with this news website – see if you can pick out the main idea – then switch to the English version to check if you were right!
Super Spanish Websites to try out:
A great news site, to test your knowledge of Spanish.
Lots of activities to help you revise for the GCSE exam – pick Higher or Foundation for each skill. Also, top exam skills section to help you with your preparation.
A range of Spanish activities to try, including the chance to hear some native speakers, practice shopping phrases, and much more!
Some fun Spanish games to try out.http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_games_for_children
A great resources for learning Spanish - create a free account online, to record your own speaking work, take part in challenges and competitions, and also revise the basics. Learn Spanish text speak or design a football kit – it’s up to you! Log in to compete against students across the country.
PERFECT POLISH WEBSITES TO HELP YOU LEARN:
A Polish newspaper, to help you practise your reading skills.Extra Curricular Opportunities
TRIPS ABROAD
Year 7 students have the opportunity to visit Boulogne in northern France on a day trip in the summer term. They visit the Nausicaa Aquarium, and a Boulangerie (French bakery), as well as spending time in Boulogne sightseeing and shopping. Watch this space for photos of the most recent trip in June 2011.
Year 10 and 11 students have the opportunity to visit the Christmas Markets in Lille in northern France. They have a stop en route for a traditional French breakfast, before heading to Lille to do some Christmas shopping at the traditional Christmas Market stalls. There is time for a tour of the town, as well as a stop at a hypermarket before it is time to head home. Details of this year’s trip will be out soon!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Y8 Able, Gifted and Talented students take part in the Southampton University Talented Linguist programme, working with students from other schools to develop their knowledge of languages.
Teaching Team:
Mrs D. Sutton - Faculty Leader of Languages | E-Mail
Mrs E. Wisniewska - French - Spanish | E-Mail
Mrs H. Taylor - French - Spanish - 2yr Languages | E-Mail
Mrs G. Okoroafor - French | E-Mail
Mr P. Bray - Spanish - 2yr Languages | E-MailAssessment:
Regular vocabulary tests, marking of books, class work and homework. The end of module assessments tests the listening, reading and writing skills. Homework is set every week and students are expected to spend time learning vocabulary in addition to the written homework.
Course Outline:
Students are taught to speak and write in French and understand spoken and written French. Students cover a variety of topics throughout KS3 so that they are able to talk about themselves, their family, their interests, their school and daily routine, their home and their town.
Year 7 Units:
Je me présente; Mon collège; Mes loisirs; Chez moi; Le présent.
Year 8 Units:
Ma routine journalière; Ma famille; En visite à Paris; Le présent; Le passé composé.
Year 9 Units:
On découvre la France; On organise une visite ou un voyage; On garde la forme; Les médias; Le présent; Le passé composé; Le future.
Student Groupings:
Based on ability
Time Allocation:
Year 7 have 4 lessons per fortnight; Years 8 and 9 have 3 lessons per fortnight.
Assessment:
Regular vocabulary tests, end of module assessments every half term, marking of books, class work and homework. The end of module assessments test the listening, reading and writing skills. Homework is set every week and students are expected to spend time learning vocabulary in addition to the written homework.
Course Outline:
Students are taught to speak and write in Spanish and understand spoken and written Spanish. Students cover a variety of topics throughout KS3 so that they are able to talk about themselves, their family, their interests, their school and daily routine, their home and their town.
Year 7 Units: N/A
Year 8 Units:
Me presento; En el cole; De vacaciones; En ruta; ¿Qué te ha pasada?; El presente.
Year 9 Units:
Nos presentamos; La comida; De compras; El turismo; ìDiviértete! La salud. El presente, el preterito, el imperfecto, el futuro.
Student Groupings:
Spanish is offered as an option in Year 8 to students who show an aptitude for languages
Time Allocation:
3 lessons per fortnight in Years 8 and 9
French; German; Spanish; Polish (2 Year Course)
GCSE - Grades A*-G
What do students study and how do they study?The students will be speaking and writing in the target language. They will be improving their reading and listening skills, so that they may understand what they hear and read. All four attainment targets (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) will be practised during lessons. Apart from building up their knowledge of vocabulary, they will also learn the grammar of the language in order to improve their accuracy.
What coursework is required?There is no coursework.
What examinations are there?The examination is assessed in four components namely Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The Listening and Reading comprehensions are assessed as terminal exams and each constitute 20% of the final exam. The Speaking and Writing components constitute 30% each and are in the form of two controlled assessments in each component. These may be completed in Year 10 and/or Year 11.
What additional study is expected?Students will be expected to attend all lessons, participate fully and spend extra time on a regular basis committing new vocabulary to memory. Students will be set one piece of homework each week, based on any one or more of the four skills (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) There will be opportunities for students to attend individual tutorial sessions after school.
What can students do next?Students can study AS and A2 at college and then go on to study languages or combined courses at university.
With good knowledge of a foreign language, they may find work in international business, international relations, teaching, the Diplomatic Corps, the Armed Forces, travel and tourism. They can also work as interpreters, translators or personal assistants within international companies.
What information is on the VLE?Vocabulary lists
Grammar exercises
Listening Activities
Reading Tasks
Speaking Practice
Past papers
