MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
The Modern Foreign Languages department is responsible for the teaching of French and German throughout the school. All pupils take at least one language from Year 7 to Year 11 when they take the GCSE examination. The opportunity is offered to pupils starting their Key Stage Four course of study to opt for the language they did not start in Year 7.
It is thought to be an important accomplishment that people should have some familiarity with a language other than their own. In this age, when travel and commerce stretch further around the globe than ever before, understanding the principles of different languages and cultural differences is vital to economic and political success. Furthermore learning the language of another culture offers insights into that culture so broadening the mind of the student. The GCSE examination principally tests the ability of the candidate to communicate in a way that would be understood by the sympathetic native speaker of the foreign language who knows no English. The four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking are all tested: listening and reading by a terminal examination each component of which is worth 20% of the final grade and writing and speaking by two pieces of controlled assessment each which are taken during Years 10 and 11. Each piece of controlled assessment is worth 15% of the final grade The MFL department generally tries to use as much of the target language as possible in the classroom. Sometimes parents worry that they disadvantage their son by not knowing any French or German, for further help in this area click here. The department organises language trips to Germany and France for year 9 pupils if there is sufficient interest and is eager to offer the possibility of travel to a relevant country to those who study the language in the Sixth Form.
LINKS
Brian Melican, an old boy of Wilson’s who left in 2003, is currently creating some lively video podcasts in impeccable German. They will be useful for listening practice for high end GCSE and A level students. Follow the link and subscribe!
Brian Melican’s Lost in Deutschland