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Modern Languages Department
Head of Modern Languages: Mrs C Marples Teacher of French: Miss C Mushen Teacher of German: Mr B Harrison French Assistant: Mlle Meriem Boudjemai German Assistant: Fraulein Lisa Lechner |
Why do we need to raise the profile of languages? Only 6% of the world's population speak English as their first language and 75% of the world's population speak no English at all! |
Aims
Our aim at St. Augustine’s is to teach languages in ways which enable students to enjoy the experience and to motivate them to use languages in the future whether it be in work or leisure. We endeavour to make the students confident learners and equip them with skills which they can use to as they continue to learn throughout their lives. Our classrooms are welcoming and have excellent displays of students’ work and photos of our visits abroad.
We value rewards highly and students receive stickers etc. in lessons and we send postcards home to reward exceptional work or effort.
Departmental rooms and resources
We have two rooms which are both equipped with an interactive whiteboard and all three teachers use ICT as part of their teaching. We have a wide variety of resources which students can use and the rooms have phrases in both French and German to help students to feel confident using the target language.
Each year we employ a French assistant and a German assistant who work with students in small groups to improve pronunciation and communication. The French assistant works with Years 12 and 13 and Year 11. The German assistant works with the sixth form, Year 11, Year 10 and Year 9. Students can gain insight into the culture of France and Germany first hand through these small classes from family customs to pop music and films.
'To have another language is to expand your soul'
Curriculum
Key Stage 3 - French
All students continue with French through Year 9. Lessons are differentiated according to the ability of the students but all students are encouraged to achieve the very best level they can. Our results are above the national average. We actively encourage the use of the target language in lessons and students are provided with a wide selection of resources to help them become confident in Speaking.
Key Stage 3 - German
The two top sets study German as well as French. This is the first introduction students have to German and we try to make it a rewarding experience to give them sufficient knowledge of German so that they are able to choose between German and French for Key Stage 4. Students progress really quickly through the topics so that they are able to achieve above the national average levels at the end of the year.
Key Stage 4 - French and German
The groups are in options and numbers in the groups tend to be about 25 students. Resources used are varied and teachers use a variety of techniques at all key stages to enable all learners to make progress. To this end lessons will contain items to suit audio, visual and kinaesthetic learners, with competition to improve. Students are examined at the end of Key Stage 4 in 4 skills: - Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. The Writing element is coursework.
We also have students studying French as part of their Engineering Diploma.
Sixth Form
Groups in the sixth form are usually about 12 in French and very small for German. Students are taught in topics in the target language and to encourage them we offer them opportunities to visit France and Germany. We have contacts with schools but also we have a very successful Work Experience Abroad scheme where students have the chance to work in banks, cafes, kindergartens etc. Students also have a lesson each week with the assistant in groups of two or three. In 2008 the sixth form French group attended a conference on Climate Change in Paris and as a result we have set up links with a partner school in Troyes. Sixth form students also attend conferences at various universities to reinforce their study in French or German.
Extra- curricular activities
We are very proud of the opportunities we offer to our students.
In alternate years we visit Austria in July. This trip is extremely popular and open to all students. Usually we take a group of about 160 students in 4 coaches. The experiences on offer while we are there are visits to the largest ice caves in Europe, a mountain walk – both these activities involve using at least 4 types of cable car which students find very exciting.. We stay in a fantastic Youth hostel which offers amazing facilities from swimming to volley ball, squash to trampoline. In alternate years we go to Paris and visit le stade de France, La Tour Eiffel, Disney etc. Students who are studying French are also given opportunities to practise French or German.
In 2008 – 2009 we will be taking a group of Engineering students to our partner school in Troyes with sixth formers on an exchange visit.
Business Links
We have a Business Partner link with Oakland International in Redditch. The Managing Director and his team are passionate about languages and each year they come to visit our school to talk to Year 9 students about the importance of languages in Business. We shall also have work placements at Oakland for Year 10 and Sixth form students.
We celebrate The European Day of Languages in September but we also stress the importance of learning other languages throughout the year. Classes can choose to have an introduction to Russian, Italian, Italian, Swedish, Dutch and Swahili throughout the year. The practising of the skills which students are developing is the main emphasis during these lessons.
Languages at St. Augustine’s – quotes from students:-
French is a challenge but great fun – Year 9.
I’ve really enjoyed German this year; I’ve made great progress – Year 9
I feel I have worked hard in German and achieved loads in the lesson- Year 10.
The trip to Austria was ace, the best trip I have ever been on- Year 10
I took French as my 4th A level but as the year has gone on its become my favourite as the lessons are varied and I have so much help from staff – Year 12.
