Sydney Smith School

GCSE French and ASSET German

Studying a modern foreign language is to choose an academic and demanding path and yet this is a pathway which can be extremely fulfilling. Employers and college tutors appreciate the commitment that is needed to gain a GCSE qualification in French and German.

Students who have left Sydney Smith School with their examination passes have found a number of career routes open to them in areas as diverse as tourism and leisure, catering, law, business IT and of course, increasingly in education and in particular the primary sector.

What will you study:

During year 10, students will complete the French GCSE course started in year 9 and which is already 30% completed.

In year 11, having complete their GCSE French course, students follow the ASSET German course, part of the European Languages ladder.

What will you learn:

To develop your communication skills in French and German, how to express yourself in a foreign language and an understanding and appreciation of different cultures.

Coursework: French:

Module 3 (Year 10) Work and lifestyle, will start after the module 2 examination in June and will end in December. In module 3 students will be asked to write a minimum of two essays and record a speech. Module 3 is worth 20% of the final grade.

Examination:

Module 1 (Year 9)
Has been examined at the end of the first term, it is worth 15% of the final grade. Students have sat tests in reading and writing and in addition were asked to record a speech on a prescribed topic.

Module 2 (Year 9)
Has been examined in June 2008 and is worth a further 15%. The module 2 examination consists of a listening and reading test.

Module 4 (Year 10)
Starts in January 2009 and ends in a final examination in Summer 2009. Module 4 is worth 50% of the final grade.

ASSET German (Year 11)
The examination will be taken in Summer 2010 and will consist of reading, writing, speaking and writing tests.

Qualification:

The French GCSE has two levels of entry:

Foundation:
Grades G - B

Higher: Grades D - A*

The German ASSET has two levels of entry:

Level 1:
Grades G - D

Level 2:
Grades C - A*

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