German
German, French and Spanish are taught to A level
All pupils take one Modern Foreign Language in Year 7.
German is the first language this year. They pick up a second language
in Year 8. This year pupils in Year 8 are learning French and spanish.
These languages continue until the end of Year 9 when pupils choose to
take one or both of
their languages in Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 4
Assessment:
Regular assessment within the department forms an
important part of the programme. Comprehensive half-term tests and a file
of work, including a cassette of personal recordings, enable both pupils
and staff to monitor progress.
Written coursework counts for 25% of the final grade and is produced at
regular intervals throughout the course. Three of the best pieces of work
are submitted for assessment.
Extra Activities:
The Gustav-Heinemann-Schule in Darlington's twin town Mülheim an
der
Ruhr has been involved with us since 1996. Activities include:
·An annual exchange
·Work experience for pupils in Year 12
·A Study Visit to nearby Neukirchen-Vluyn with a visit to the GHS.
·Collaboration on the Comenius Project "Communities in Change".
Career Implications and
Further Studies:
Opportunities exist in a wide range of jobs for
using foreign language skills at all levels and
these have been increasing at a fast pace and
knowledge of a European language is no
longer an academic pursuit; it is needed for
communication and trading and lends scope to
many jobs. Some of the career areas where
knowledge of a foreign language are useful are
as follows: secretarial work, export marketing
and selling, travel and tourism, accountancy,
armed forces, advertising, media, fashion,
design.
In order to cater for a more open European
market, most colleges of further education and
universities now offer a great variety of
courses which contain a language element
ranging from Spanish with Chemistry to
French, German and European Business Law.
Post 16:
Knowledge of a foreign
language is an asset for life
and continuing from GCSE will
lead to courses available in
our 6th Form and beyond.