Second Language - French or German

The Language B programme is communicative in that it focuses principally on interaction between speakers and writers of the target language.  The main aim of the programme is to prepare the students to use the language appropriately in a range of situations and contexts for a variety of purposes.   Equal emphasis is given to the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, which are taught and developed through the study of a wide range of oral and written texts.   Authentic materials are used whenever possible and the students are given maximum exposure to the target language.

The four skills are integrated as far as possible with the preparation and presentation of all learning and assessment tasks – in particular, the continuous assessment of oral work.   The teaching of grammatical structures is also integrated as far as possible with the study of themes and texts.

This course is designed for those students who have achieved a GCSE Grade B or higher in their chosen language and who have already reached a competent level in the four skill areas.

Realistically, Grade B at GCSE is advisable for standard level;   A for Higher Level.

The syllabus explores various topics and themes which feature strongly in the modern world – the Environment, the Media, Communications, Transport, the Internet, Youth, Health (drugs, AIDS, alcoholism, smoking), Racism, Discrimination, Ethnic Minorities, Tourism, the World and Work, Unemployment, Higher Education, the Homeless, and the Monarchy.

Students will be issued with work units on specific topics and a grammar reference book.   All students should provide themselves with a large bilingual dictionary (about £25) which may not be used in exams.   Regular sessions with the foreign language assistant will form part of the course.

Higher Level students may choose to study literary work(s) in their chosen language.   Study trips to both France and Germany for IB students are taken every year and prove very popular.

ASSESSMENT:

A  Oral Assessment (30%)

This is continually assessed throughout Year 13 by the teacher(s)

At Higher Level one activity may be based on a literary work.   At both Standard and Higher Levels, one of the orals will be a group (interactive) task.

The final oral activity will take the form of a presentation by the candidate on a topic of his/her choice followed by a general conversation with the teacher lasting  in total 12-14 minutes.   THIS WILL BE RECORDED AND MARKED AND SENT TO AN EXTERNAL EXAMINER FOR MODERATION.

B  There will be 2 exam papers

     Paper 1* text handling (40%)

There will be various tasks such as Gap-filling, Definitions, True or False and Reading Comprehension exercises

*Brief written response – 100 words or more

ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND ANSWERS WILL BE IN THE TARGET LANGUAGE

Paper 2 – writing (30%)

One essay of 250 words in the target language.  There will be a choice of essay topics.

At Higher Level, candidates have to write a minimum of 400 words.