We are passionate about the benefits that learning a language can bring. We strongly believe in languages as a skill for life and something that students should enjoy and find rewarding.

This course will appeal to all types of students including those who are interested in travel, culture and people from different countries, as well as those who always have something to say! In addition it will provide a challenge to anyone who likes to decode information. Studying French or Spanish at GCSE also contributes towards the attainment of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) certificate. 

Students have developed important language skills and knowledge at Key Stage 3 based around the skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The GCSE course will build on this and introduce them to a wider range of language structures, grammar and vocabulary. Students will learn to recognise these and to apply their new knowledge to different contexts. 

The course is based on the following 3 themes:

• Identity and culture (Family, free time, technology and culture) 
• Local, national, international and global areas of interest (Home, travel, tourism and social/global issues) 
• Current and future study and employment (School life, jobs and ambitions) 

This course is assessed at the end of Year 11 and students will be entered for either foundation (grades 1-5) or higher (grades 4-9) in all papers. 

25% Listening

Written exam
35 minutes for foundation; 45 minutes for higher

25% Speaking

Comprising a role-play, photo card and general conversation (7-9 minutes for foundation and 10-12 minutes higher)

25% Reading

Written exam
45 minutes for foundation; 1 hour for higher

25% Writing

Written exam
1 hour for foundation; 1 hour 15 minutes for higher