Bienvenue and Willkommen to the Modern Foreign Languages department at LSA Technology & Performing Arts College!
French and German are the two main languages offered by the MFL department. We promote active learning and we strive to create an exciting and challenging learning environment for all our students.
In July we offer a Celebration of Languages as part of the flexible learning day programme. A group of Year 7 students have the opportunity to experience Spanish, Italian, Polish, Chinese Art and Salsa Dancing!
Key Stage 3:
The majority of students in Years 7 & 8 study both French and German. They have 2 hours a fortnight for each language. At the end of Year 8 most students choose the language they would like to study in Year 9. In Year 9 students have 4 hours a fortnight dedicated to their chosen language.
We also offer students the opportunity to enhance their language skills outside of a normal classroom. This year students have developed their German culinary skills by creating Currywurst, Schokolade and German Christmas biscuits to name but a few. Our magazine and speaking clubs have allowed pupils to develop their speaking and reading skills, an integral part of language learning, using authentic and current stimuli.
A group of our Year 9 students also had the opportunity to attend the Worldwise Skills Event for Schools at UCLAN. Activities included translation and interpreting, Chinese calligraphy, an interactive Worldwise quiz and the development of communication skills using new technology. A good time was had by all and students returned with a renewed zest for languages.
Key Stage 4:
Both French and German are offered at GCSE. Students who opt for a Modern Foreign Language usually choose the language that they chose at the end of Year 8.
The GCSE courses in French and German cover 4 topic areas based around everyday life.
- Lifestyle – healthy living, relationships, future plans, social issues and equality.
- Leisure – free time, the media, holidays.
- Home and environment – home and local area, the environment – problems and solutions.
- Work and education – school, future plans, current and future jobs.
The four main skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing are assessed. Listening and reading are assessed at the end of Year 11 in two short exams. Each exam is worth 20% of the overall GCSE grade. Speaking is assessed through two controlled assessment tasks. These two speaking assessments make up 30% of the GCSE grade. Writing is also assessed through two controlled assessment tasks. The two writing assessments also make up 30% of the GCSE grade. The speaking and writing assessment tasks may be completed at any time in Years 10 or 11.
Our GCSE French and German courses offer students the opportunity to access listening and reading resources online at www.kerboodle.com. Students should speak to their class teacher to find out more information. A year’s subscription will allow students to access the online resources at home using their own personal password. The resources are of a high quality and will enable students to reinforce and extend their classroom learning.
GCSE French Specification
GCSE German Specification
Key Stage 5:
We currently offer French at AS and A level.
The AS units cover Media, Popular Culture, Healthy Living, Leisure, Family and Relationships.
The A2 units cover the Environment, the Multi-cultural Society, Contemporary Social Issues and two cultural topics. We currently offer the study of a French speaking author (Boule de Suife by Maupassant) and a region of France (Rhône-Alpes) as the two cultural topics.
Our A level French course also offers students the opportunity to access listening and reading resources online at www.kerboodle.com.
The German Exchange:
Lytham St Annes is twinned with the town of Werne in Northwest Germany. The very first exchange visit between LSA Technology and Performing Arts College, or Lytham St Annes High as it was known then, and our partner school Gymnasium St Christophorus in Werne (www.gymnasium-st-christophorus.de) took place in 1996. This very successful link has created many lasting memories and friendships over the years.
The 2013 exchange started in June with 31 students and 2 teachers from our partner school arriving in Lytham St Annes for 8 days. As part of the exchange our English students accompanied their German partners on trips to the Lake District and Blackpool Tower. Our visitors also had trips to the Lancashire Museum in Preston, the Docks and Cathedral in Liverpool and a tour of St Annes. The focus for this year’s exchange was collaboration with the host students and their visitors working together on an art project to create a logo for the exchange. Competition on the sports field was fierce as the German students were introduced to the game of rounders. The old rivalry between England and Germany was reignited on the football pitch with England victorious again!
Our students depart for Germany on July 4th. Trips to Cologne, Munster, the Borussia Dortmund Stadium and Movieworld are on the itinerary. Sporting rivalry will no doubt be renewed on the football pitch with Germany sure to be out for revenge! Our students with also be accompanying their partners to lessons. We look forward to hearing all the details on their return.
Curriculum Plan
