Department of Modern Languages
Why choose a modern language?- Languages at Greenhead College
- AS-level French, German, Spanish and Italian
- A-level French, German, Spanish and Italian
- Modern technology
- Exchanges and work experience
- What can I do with a language qualification?
- Examination results
- Open evening leaflet
- French
- German
- Italian
- Spanish
Why choose a modern language?
- In 1992 the European Union became a free trade area, a single market of 320 million consumers, bigger than the domestic markets of either Japan or the United States.
- Trading between countries is now simpler and the opportunities for business expansion much greater.
- In a recent CBI survey 73% of employers are actively seeking to recruit workers with language skills.
- Germany is Britain's biggest trading partner.
- Individuals are finding it easier to travel, live and work abroad, which means that the knowledge of a foreign language is becoming an essential skill in the business world in general as this gives the holder access to a much greater range of careers, here and abroad.
- Many British commercial and professional organisations are looking for staff with language skills and a knowledge of the culture and customs of the foreign countries with which they have dealings.
- Through the Erasrius scheme most UK universities now offer students of all disciplines the chance of a funded year abroad e.g. a physics student in the UK can study for one year in any EC country.
- Students of other disciplines e.g. Medicine, English are finding that some university departments prefer students with post GCSE foreign languages.
Languages at Greenhead College
The college offers courses in French, German, Spanish and Italian. Post GCSE courses in French, German and Spanish build on knowledge gained at GCSE to work towards the AS examination at the end of year 12.
There is also the opportunity to learn Spanish or Italian as a new subject. Students have extra lessons each week and take the AS examination in the usual way at the end of year 12
The four Modern Languages subjects are grouped together in the college around a resources centre where students are encouraged to seek help from staff if difficulties should arise.
The language studied is mostly used as the basis of communication by both teacher and students. We recognise that this presents a new challenge to many students, but believe that it ultimately improves their competence in the language.
Every week, modern languages students meet the assistant, a native speaker of the language they are studying, with whom they develop their oral skills in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They are also encouraged to make full use of the library where newspapers, magazines and recordings, both audio and video, in French, German, Spanish and Italian are available.
The specifications involve the study of the four linguistic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, based on the study of contemporary society. As a sound knowledge of grammar enables students to manipulate the language with ease, the department also offers a comprehensive grammar course to all students.
Since these are modular courses, there is the possibility to re-take each of the modules, and the better result always counts.
AS-level French, German, Spanish and Italian
This one-year course builds on the knowledge and skills studied at GCSE and is a mid-way stage between GCSE and A-Level. The four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing are developed to the required standard through the study of topics in the country of the language studied. These include: television, cinema, advertising, popular music, fashion, new technologies, sport & leisure, healthy living and family life. Click here to see the course outline
The 'ab-initio' students learning a new language have extra grammar lessons to ensure a solid understanding of the workings of the language and therefore rapid progress.
The two AS modules are taken at the end of the year. This is an ideal course for students who wish to pursue the study of a language without committing themselves to a full A-Level course.
A-level in French, German, Spanish and Italian
Following the two AS modules students study more challenging topics in order to take the two A-level modules at the end of the second year. Once again all four linguistic skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing are studied, allowing students to become very confident in their use of the foreign language. topics include: the environment, multicultural society, contemporary issues and cultural topics.
Technology
Technology plays an important part in our students' learning process and contributes to key skills.
- Our language laboratory enables students to listen to the authentic language at their own speed. They can also use the audio-active facility to hold and record conversations.
- Computer
programs are an integrated part of our teaching. In our Multi-Media
rooms, equipped with 25 PCs, a variety of inter-active CD ROMs and other
programs enable students to practise various skills according to
individual needs. In addition, the Internet, the Intranet and our VLE
offer a vast range of regularly updated material relevant to the
various sections of the syllabus.
Exchanges
Exchanges with students abroad are encouraged by all departments, "total immersion" in the language and culture being an almost irresistible way of improving one's language skills. Three Modern Language subjects at Greenhead run their own exchange schemes with centres in La Flèche in France, Unna in Germany and Barcelona in Spain with whom close links have been established over the years. An e-mail partnership exists with Italy and as student numbers grow, we expect to develop this into a conventional exchange.
Work experience
The department offers a variety of work experience / work shadowing opportunities. Students can apply for a placement in France, Germany, Spain or Italy where, via our exchange contacts, we will try to find companies which fit their requirements. So far these have been very varied, including law, pharmaceuticals, teaching, banking and journalism.
We can also organise language related placements in the UK, such as at Leeds or Manchester University, with Kirklees Twinning Officers, in High Schools etc. Some students also do voluntary work in High Schools on a weekly basis, helping pupils prepare for their GCSE speaking tests.
What can I do with a language qualification?
Taking
an A-level in a foreign language is no longer restricted to people who
want to go on to university to study languages or other arts subjects,
or who want a career purely in languages.- Scientists and engineers need languages: they travel and work throughout the world for companies which sell goods abroad, or are themselves multinational.
- Whatever you decide to do as a career, it is highly likely that you will one day find yourself working for a multinational company or for a firm with connections abroad. You will need to be able to communicate with employees at all levels, not only about professional matters, but also on a social level.
- Having a knowledge of the foreign country and its culture, understanding how your counterparts in other countries think, will enable you to interact effectively with them. This is a skill that prospective employers are actively looking for.
- There are openings in a wide variety of areas as the demand by companies for executives, management, scientists and sales people to be multilingual is ever-increasing.
- Employers say they don't just want specialist linguists, but people with skills such as engineering, law, chemistry etc. who also can speak a foreign language.
- Many firms will give preference to applicants with suitable language skills as indicated by numerous adverts in the national and foreign press, which stipulate a foreign language as an essential requirement.
- Most universities offer combined courses which means you can study two subjects, and many of these combined courses involves studying a foreign language together with another, completely different subject.
- Some university courses in other disciplines such as English or History require a qualification in a Modern Language in their entry criteria.
