Modern Languages

Learning to be Extraordinary
Why?
KS3
KS4
VI Form
Nexus
Careers

RESULTS

In August 2022, we had 100% pass rate for GCSE French and Spanish, with all students achieving a grade 4 or above. Our GCSE French and Spanish results were above national and county average.

In addition, our A Level French students were very successful, also with 100% pass rate. All of our students achieved a B grade or above.

WHY TAKE MFL?

Languages are a life skill

Knowledge of a foreign language is not just another examination grade – it is a concrete and demonstrable life skill, like being able to drive a car or use a computer, and it is a skill highly valued by employers.

Languages teach communication skills and adaptability

Learning how to speak and listen to others with increasing confidence are fundamental skills that support life-long learning and career development. Learning how to read unfamiliar text and communicate clear messages effectively are also vital skills that are developed and refined through learning a language. Learning how to interact with speakers of other languages means you are less likely to be stuck in a narrow mode of thinking. It can help you see things from a range of perspectives and make you more adaptable, resourceful and creative.

Language learning develops problem-solving skills

Employers actively recruit staff with problem-solving skills and the resilience to persevere when work is challenging. Learning a language offers wide ranging opportunities to develop and enhance these skills at all levels of learning.

Languages teach cultural awareness

Whilst learning a language, you also acquire significant knowledge of other cultures in the target language countries. For many learners this aspect of learning a language is extremely rewarding and interesting, inspiring them to travel and visit countries far and wide.

Languages are a social skill

Languages are very sociable.  Students young and old enjoy being with people and communicating with them: being able to do this in a foreign language means you can interact with many more people in social, academic and professional situations.

Languages give competitive advantage in the job market

Today there is a global market for jobs. It is not necessary to be completely fluent in a foreign language to be an asset to a potential employer, having confidence in a small amount of another language is extremely useful: knowing how to meet and greet people from other countries and cultures is a valued skill.

Learning Languages provides greater opportunities to travel and work abroad

There are many opportunities to travel and work with organisations in Europe and globally, where some knowledge of a foreign language is a clear advantage.

Languages combine well with all subjects for further study

The range of combined degrees and further education courses involving a language is limitless – from Accountancy with Russian to Theatre Studies with Italian. Many universities offer funding for students to continue or extend their language knowledge by travelling or working abroad during term-time and the holidays.

KEY STAGE 3

CSIA recognises the importance of Languages in education, future employment and empathy in cultural diversity. In Key Stage 3, students study either French or Spanish, covering topic areas such as identity, family and pets, personal descriptions, school, food and drink, free time, clothes and my town. The curriculum is designed to support students of all abilities to achieve the highest individual outcomes. It is continually updated by experienced MFL teachers, to prepare students to continue with their language journey through the Key Stages and to reflect advances in current examinations, as well as the latest teaching approaches. Attention is also given to practical language knowledge, which can be used in day-to-day situations. A trip to Paris is offered for students in Year 8, during which they experience a different culture and language, in a natural setting, making the classroom learning real and useful.

KEY STAGE 4

At CSIA, both French and Spanish are an exciting and popular choice with students at Key Stage 4.  Whether they are learning Spanish: a language which is one of the widest spoken world languages today, or French: the mother tongue of fashion, art, literature and gastronomy, learning a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE is hugely rewarding and gives students the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge that are admirable and academically stimulating. Opportunities for personal development and worldliness are immense, whilst students are encouraged to develop their self-esteem and resilience.

For each of these courses, we follow the Edexcel GCSE curriculum and cover the topics of:

  • Identity and culture
  • Local area, holiday and travel
  • School
  • Future aspirations, study and work
  • International and global dimension

Assessment is now 100% terminal examination, as required by new government regulations. The new course CSIA is offering reflects these changes in education and our team of experienced staff has developed new resources for all year groups, to reflect these changes and the greater expectations of the new qualification.

Trips to Barcelona and Normandy are also offered to students who study a Language at Key Stage 4.

THE VI FORM ACADEMY

In the VI Form students can study French and Spanish A Levels, both of which are 2 year courses. Languages can be studied in combination with any other A Levels and are often chosen in combination with Humanities and Sciences.

For each of these courses, we follow the Edexcel A Level curriculum and cover the topics of:

Y12 French: Changes in French Society; Art, Politics and Culture in French Speaking Countries of the World; Immigration and Multi-Cultural French Society.
Y13 French: Second World War France: Occupation, Resistance and Political Scene; a French literary text and also a film.
Y12 Spanish: Changes in Spanish Society; Art, Media and Culture in Spanish Speaking Countries of the World; Immigration and Multi-Cultural Spanish Society.
Y13 Spanish: Spanish History: dictatorship to democracy; a Spanish literary text and also a film.

Assessment is now 100% terminal examination, as required by new government regulations. The new course CSIA is offering reflects these changes in education and our team of experienced staff has developed new resources for these students, including regular on-going assessment. Students are expected to have the highest expectations of their own achievement and are expected to complete all tasks thoroughly, to the best of their ability, showing consistent motivation and dedication to their language studies.

NEXUS

Mandarin is part of the co-curricular programme at Nexus. Students study the basics of Mandarin: learning to talk about families, friends, food, hobbies, likes and dislikes. They are then able to engage in simple conversations with visiting guests from China and Singapore. Using the latest computer-aided language learning programs, students learn to read and write Chinese characters. The program also includes a cultural element, where students learn about festivals, tea drinking, heritage sites, calligraphy and poetry, often involving creative projects.

Students can also take part in an exciting co-curricular activity called Mock UN Assembly. In this co-curricular activity students develop their research, communication and critical thinking skills by analysing global current affairs. Just like in a real UN Assembly, students represent members of the United Nations and research the politics, culture and language of their assigned country.  We hold a Mock UN Assembly where the students debate on and propose resolutions to a particular issue of interest.

CAREERS

Foreign Languages are necessary in most industry sectors due to the proliferation of multinational businesses, internet-based companies, and the onset of globalisation.

Jobs directly related to Languages include:

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