Another new experience this year as we start to learn Spanish! In two weekly lessons, we quickly catch up on all that we have already learned in French. Similarities between these two beautiful languages help us make swift progress in Spanish. This year, we also have two weekly periods of French to build on our knowledge from Y8. One of the nice things about language learning is that what we learn one year will be of use to us the next year.

We cover some familiar topics, for example school life, but we learn how to develop our understanding of language and become more skilled at producing accurate language and understanding French in greater detail; our Spanish is not far behind! We also meet topics such as food and drink and how to order these in restaurants. Languages are very practical subjects! Opportunities will be provided for pupils to show their knowledge and progress in examinations which, as ever, cover the four main language skills.

In three periods each week, we develop our French and Spanish even further, learning how to use a range of tenses and to express our feelings and opinions. Whilst some familiar topics will be revisited, we encounter new ideas, including how to talk about our holidays. This is very good preparation for those who will progress to GCSE French and/or Spanish; the step up will not feel daunting. Examinations will still focus on the four skills and provide good training for the format of GCSE papers.

Pupils will receive a great deal of guidance from their teachers regarding careers choices, and will be shown how to write about this in good quality French and Spanish. At the same time, we continue our practical theme by researching how to plan a trip to Paris in French class and through a project on Spanish fiestas. Many past pupils have gone on to travel to France and Spain on the back of knowledge and skills gained in class during Y10!

Those who choose to study French and/or Spanish to GCSE level have five periods’ study of each language every week. As ever, pupils revisit some topics that they encountered previously but much greater emphasis is placed on pupils’ ability to develop a more mature approach to the ideas and opinions that they communicate. Similarly, topics of interest to teenagers, such as part-time jobs, healthy living and future plans will be studied. The four language skills will be examined and pupils receive considerable guidance on how to obtain optimum grades.

In addition, pupils will have the opportunity to spend time with our French and Spanish language assistants, practising and developing their spoken language in small groups. Those pupils who choose to study GCSE French will have the opportunity to participate in our trip to Paris which takes place every two years. Tripss to Barcelona and Salamanca have also taken place. GCSE French and Spanish at RSD are examined by CCEA and all examinations are taken at the end of Y12. There is no coursework element.

At AS and A2 Levels, pupils have the opportunity to develop their interests in the global influence of the French and Spanish languages and will become much more confident and fluent when communicating in those languages. Eight periods a week are devoted to the study of each language, including grammar, translation skills, contexts for learning and the study of a film or literature text.

We also organise an additional one or two periods with the French and Spanish Assistants where communication is 100% in the target language; pupils make very rapid progress this way and always enjoy learning from a native speaker. Many extra-curricular opportunities exist for A Level French and Spanish pupils including film days at QUB, and participation in national debating and translation competitions.