Modern Languages

French is the major foreign language taught at Kingsmead. The subject is introduced in a relevant, lively and interactive way in the Junior department before pupils begin a more formal learning programme in Year 7.

The Modern Languages Department offers the AQA GCSE specification and boasts a long history of involvement with the awarding body. Students of all abilities are welcome to opt for the subject in Year 10 and 11, and the department celebrates equally the success of all students who achieve their potential at GCSE.

Students are offered the opportunity to work towards an A* grade, or to a C, according to ability, and exam entries are tailor-made to the individual strengths of each pupil. The department provides differentiated learning to enable every student to enjoy success, and that success is the basis for linguistic confidence, leading ultimately to GCSE achievement.

The department can also offer clubs in Russian and Japanese, and has seen exam success at GCSE level in German, Spanish and Cantonese.

French at Kingsmead has a fine reputation with a team of specialist staff in both the senior and junior departments. Kingsmead takes the view that a foreign language is essential in the modern world, opening cultural as well as linguistic doors to all our students, from the enhancing of a holiday experience to the embellishment of a cv in working life.  With this in mind, linguistic skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing  are taught and developed over the years leading to GCSE.

Kingsmead has invested in the very latest course books and materials written especially for the current AQA exams. Controlled assessment in written tasks and prescribed speaking work is carried out in accordance with standard AQA schedules, with an examination at the end of the course in reading and listening skills.

We prepare our students to take their language skills beyond Kingsmead and into the international workplace of the 21st century.