Modern Foreign Languages

Teaching Staff:

Mrs. L. Pedelty B.A., P.G.C.E., (German, French, Italian)
Mrs. L. Tomlin B.A., P.G.C.E., (German)
Mrs. L. Hayward B.A., P.G.C.E., (German)
Mrs. S. Morris B.A., P.G.C.E., (French)
Miss Bethan Jones B.A., P.G.D.E., (French)
Transition project with Primary schools French/Welsh Teacher KS3

Key Stage 3:

In Year 7 all pupils have 3 (50 minute) periods per week of French and are taught in their form groups.

In Year 8 and 9 pupils are taught in sets. Top set pupil groups continue with 2 periods per week of French and begin 1 period per week of German. Second set pupils continue with 3 periods per week of French.

Key Stage 4 – Years 10 and 11:

Pupils can opt to have 3 periods of a language per week. The Option blocks generally allow for those pupils learning both French and German to continue both for GCSE.

Key Stage 5 – Years 12 and 13:

Pupils with GCSE may opt for French and/pr German at AS Level in Year 12. Those with AS may continue with A2 in Year 13. AS/A2 pupils have 5 periods per week.

Pupils follow a language course as a module in “Wales, Europe and the World” section of the WBQ. They must produce evidence of studying for 20 hours by submitting a vocabulary list and short dialogue using language learnt at the end of each module. On successful completion of the online course pupils receive a certificate, which can also count as evidence.

The Modern Languages Department are keen for pupils to experience a little of the culture of the countries who’s language they study. Below is a summary of the trips that occur regularly:

Promotion of Languages:

Following our successful participation in the CILT “Languages in Action” project (1999-2001) we have continued to promote the learning of languages in a variety of ways.

• March 2002 and September 2008 - we took a group of pupils from Years 11, 12 and 13 to a “Languages Taster Day” at Swansea University.
• Every year we invite a speaker from CILT Cymru to do a presentation to the whole of Year 9 on “The importance of learning languages”. This talk is given prior to their choosing their GCSE options.
• We show promotional videos “What’s the Point?” and the recent “Language Work” to pupils in Year 9 and Year 11.
• In February 2004, Bristol University gave sessions to Years 11, 12 and 13 on Languages and careers and taster sessions in Russia/Czech. This is part of their “Widening Participation Programme”
• All the activities mentioned under European Awareness further promote the importance of learning languages.
• Pupils prepare on and off stage competitions in French and German for the Eisteddfod. On stage – solo/pair or group poem. Off stage – creative writing.
• Pupils perform French and German readings at the school annual Carol Service.
• We are currently involved in a transition project for MFL with our feeder primary schools.

European Awareness:

European Theatre Company:
We make regular visits to see European Theatre Company productions.

• November 2000 “King Drosselbart” (German KS3) in Worcester.
• November 2001 “L’Avare” (KS4 and 5) in Worcester.
• March 2002 “Un Pont vers le Passé (KS3 and 4) in Worcester.
• November 2002 “L’École des Femmes” (KS4 and 5) in Worcester.
• May 2003 “Les Lettres de mon Moulin” (KS3 and 4) at the Wyeside, Builth Wells.
• March 2004 “Le Comte de Monte Cristo” (KS3, 4 and 5) Wyeside, Builth Wells.
• March 2005 “Arsène Lupin” (KS3 and 4) Worcester.
• March 2006 “Le Petit Prince” (KS3) Worcester.
• March 2008 “Cendrine Bio” (KS3) Worcester.
• We are eagerly awaiting their next production.

German Christmas Market:
In December 2003 we took a group of KS3 pupils to the Frankfurt traditional German Christmas Market held in Birmingham. It was such a success that in December 2003 we took 118 pupils on 3 buses. Photos and report can be seen on our school web site. This has now become an annual event offered to Year 7 pupils.

In December 2008 we joined with the English Department and visited the Market in the morning, followed by a performance of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Birmingham Rep. We plan to repeat this in December 2009 with a visit to “A Christmas Carol”.

“Your Future in Europe” Conference:
In January 2001 we attended this conference in Paris with a group of sixth formers. We offer this every two years so that sixth form pupils will have an opportunity to attend either during Year 12 or Year 13. Photos and report can be seen in Photo galleries.

European Workshop:
We are part of a European House, which holds an annual workshop for sixth form pupils of German and I teacher from different European countries. We have attended regularly since October 2002 in Brussels, October 2003 in Stuttgart, October 2005 in Bonn and November 2008 in Prague.

A group of 8 GCSE German pupils and 1 teacher were also invited to take part in an international “Olympiade” in Budapest in May 2003 with other “European House” schools. We prepared a tri-lingual project (in German, English and Welsh) before the event. This was an extremely rewarding, exciting and successful event. On our return pupils gave an evening presentation to staff and parents and a presentation at a Beebop meeting in Llangoed Hall in July 2003. Photos and reports of all these events can be seen in Photo galleries.

Foreign Pupils:
We are very keen to accept visits from foreign pupils, offering our pupils a further insight into other cultures.

• A German pupil from Mönchengladbach spent 2 years studying “A” Levels with us, which led to us establishing our extremely successful German exchange with her former school.
• September – December 2002: a former German exchange pupil studied for 3 months in Year 12.
• September – December 2003: another former German exchange pupil studied for 3 months in Year 12.
• September 2002 – July 2004: a pupil from Germany studied for his A Levels in the 6th Form.
• May – June 2003: a Kazachstan/German student spent 2 months with us on work experience and attending lessons. (This was a contact through the “European House”).
• September 2006 – January 2007: another former German exchange pupil studied for 5 months in Year 12.

Links and Exchanges:

The MFL Department has well established links with France, Germany and Italy. We recognise the use of such links for promoting not only language learning but also for widening the pupils’ understanding of other cultures.

Penfriends: Pupils are given the opportunity of a penfriend link from Year 7 onwards. They are encouraged to write in the target language, using e-mail if possible.

Exchanges: Taking part in an exchange is of particular value to pupils in that it provides:

• Total immersion in the target language,
• First hand experience of everyday family life in another country,
• The opportunity to make new and hopefully lasting friendships.

FRANCE

Vittel
We have a long established and very successful penfriend and exchange link with the Collège Jules Verne in Vittel. Pupils from Years 7-10 visit Vittel one year and the pupils in Vittel make a return visit the following year. Vittel last came here in June 2008 and we visited Vittel in June 2009.

Reports and photos of visits can be seen in Photo galleries.

Contact address: Christiane Vattoux CES Jules Verne
88 Rue Lieutenant Gauffre 888000 Vittel France

Colmar
For Years 11, 12 and 13 we have an upper school link with a Lycée in Colmar. This has been used for some very successful work experience placements and exchanges. In 2005/2006 we participated in a Comenius project. Pupils from Colmar visited us in February 2006 and our pupils made the return visit to Colmar in April 2006. Our most recent exchange took place in March/April 2009.

Photos and reports can be seen in Photo galleries.

Contact address: Cynthia Spindler LEGT Lycée Blaise Pascal
27, route d’Ingersheim 68000 Colmar France

GERMANY

Mönchengladbach
Since 2000 we have had a penfriend and exchange link with a Gymnasium in Mönchengladbach. Pupils from Year 7-13 can take part in this exchange. We visit Mönchengladbach every year in June or July and they make their return visit in September or October. This has proved to be yet another very successful and popular link.

Photos and reports can be seen in Photo galleries.

Contact address: Uschi Pfeiffer Bischöfliche Marienschule
41068 Mönchengladbach, Germany

ITALY

Mogliano, Veneto
In 2003 we formed a link with Liceo Berto in Mogliano. 6th Form pupils visited us in October 2004 and we made a return visit in April 2005. The Italian school has recently approached us to take part in a further exchange.

Photos and reports can be seen in Photo galleries.

Contact address: Angela Gardin Liceo Berto
Mogliano, Treviso, Veneto, Italy.