Welcome to Languages A Level
By the end of this course you will:
• Develop your written and
spoken language and be able
to use French/German/Spanish
independently.
• Develop an understanding of
the countries and cultures
where your language is spoken.
• Be confident studying texts and
films in your chosen language,
and critically analyse a variety
of different cultural themes.
We’re a facilitating
subject too!
Languages A Level:
Course
content
You will study...
Overview
In Year 12
Additional studies
Theme 1: Social changes
in the country of study
Theme 2: Culture and art
in the … speaking world
In Year 13
Theme 3: Immigration and
multi-culturalism in the
country of study
A novel/play in the target
language (with student
input)
Theme 4: A period of
historical significance in
the country of study
A film in the target
language
Languages A Level:
Assessment
Exam board:
Spanish: AQA
French: Edexcel
German: TBC
Assessment:
Percentage:
Examination
100%
Coursework
-
Detail:
3 exams sat at the end of Year 13.
Paper 1: 2hr (40%)
Paper 2: 2hr 40 mins (30%)
Paper 3 (speaking): 30%
-
Languages A Level
Requirements
Course requirements
• B grade in the language of study at GCSE
Which skills are needed?
•
•
•
•
Language skills developed at GCSE
Essay writing skills
Engagement with the wider world
Research and analytical skills
Expectations and workload
•
•
•
•
3 internal formal assessments completed per academic year
1-2 homework assignments completed per week (essays or grammar
exercises)
High level of independent study and revision of vocab and grammar to
support classroom learning
An active interest in current affairs
Languages A Level
2015/6 Course Performance
• 100% of students achieved an A*-C
grade by the end of Year 13
2015/6 Example student destination(s)
Spanish and management at the university
of Leeds.
Japanese & Asian Studies et Leeds,
French & Arabic at the University of Oxford
Department contact details
• Mr Alex Adams
• [email protected]
• 01949 875550
Further
information
Course enrichment:
• Exchange programmes
in all languages.
• Debating trips and other
UK based enrichment
trips.
• French trip to Paris – your
future in Europe
A Level languages:
Common concerns and questions
Will I be able to cope? Will it be too difficult? Will it be
very different from GCSE?
There is a bit of a change in pace initially BUT the speed,
amount and nature of progress bridges this gap very quickly.
Small groups allow for targeted and personalised support
and high quality interaction.
The differences between GCSE and A Level are positive – A Level
languages allow you to develop into a really successful linguist.
The vast majority of A Level students continue their
languages studies at university or in their chosen career.
Even if it is not the main focus, they take electives or
complete work experience using their languages.
A Level languages – destination
University!
“Languages may be passport to
Oxbridge, data suggests”.
Cambridge university and
languages: Acceptance rate of
44.2% (2014).
Oxford university and languages:
Acceptance rate of 32% (2014).
This is a re-occurring pattern across
universities around the country
Languages A Level:
Enrichment
• Exchanges! Longwy (French – with
trips to Metz & Strasbourg). Valencia
(Spanish), Burladingen (German).
• Study trip to Paris… Your future in
Europe cross-curricular weekend.
• Aston University business language
taster weekend (on campus
experience).
• SCOOP! debating competition.
• Volunteering – in languages’ lessons,
at events and elsewhere. An
opportunity to gain and develop
confidence and a range of different
skills