In terms of employment prospects, the ability to speak a foreign language is becoming increasingly advantageous. In almost any profession, a facility with at least one other major European language is a vital asset and, most particularly in the world of the professional musician, where the concept of the ‘global village’ is a very real one, the ability to communicate verbally as well as musically is an invaluable skill. Moreover, the study of a foreign language beyond GCSE gives a deeper understanding of the history, culture and traditions of the country concerned and will offer invaluable insight into the minds of great European composers and the development of music in Europe. Our A-level courses also aim to develop the student’s powers of analysis, ability to structure arguments effectively and knowledge of current affairs. The A-level language courses build upon the skills acquired for GCSE, seeking to deepen understanding of the structures of the languages as well as dealing with the social, political and cultural issues affecting much of modern Europe. The foreign language is used as much as possible in the classroom and students should aim to spend some time during the course in the country where the language is spoken. Popular and tailor-made five-day study trips to Berlin and Paris are offered in the Sixth Form in February half-term, giving students the chance to explore many of the set A-Level topics for German and French. Lessons continue to combine and further the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, with greater emphasis on grammatical accuracy than at GCSE, and using authentic materials in the form of foreign-language websites, DVDs, news broadcasts and both adult and teenage literature. The culture of Germany, France and other countries where these are spoken will also be looked at in greater depth.
Unlike most other Sixth Forms, we have no minimum entry requirement at Chetham’s; you are here based on your musical ability. However, if you do not achieve at least a Grade 4 in English Language and Maths in Year 11 then you should re-take the GCSE in Year 12 as these are essential qualifications for future employment. You will be given help to do so. Students who decide to embark on the study of languages in the Sixth Form need to be realistic. The study of languages post-16 is rewarding and stimulating, but also demanding, and it represents a significant jump from the ‘survival’ language situations of GCSE courses. There is a strong emphasis placed on grammatical structure and accuracy, and dictionaries will not be allowed in the examinations. Students must therefore be prepared to spend time acquiring breadth and depth of vocabulary, and also developing and applying the grammatical concepts that become an increasingly important part of language learning post-16. Anyone embarking upon an A-level course should have achieved Grade A or A* at GCSE and, given the oral nature of the course, should show a willingness to speak in class and offer opinions, and an awareness of the moral, ethical, and social problems facing us today. A willingness to spend time independently in the country concerned is also very important. In addition to lessons, students will be expected to spend a minimum of 5 hours a week on independent study i.e. fostering their reading and listening skills, researching vocabulary and writing in French or German, as well as attending small-group sessions with the language assistant. Students who are considering opting for a language at A-level but are unsure of their suitability or ability, should not hesitate to speak to their subject teacher: (s)he is in the best position to give sound advice.
Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (2h30) (50% of total marks) * Listening comprehension: students have an individual mp3 file or CD which they can control. * Reading comprehension. * Translation into and out of the language. Paper 2: Writing (2h) (20% of total marks) * One essay question on the film studied in Year 12 and one on the text in Year 13, answered in German or French. No texts or dictionaries are allowed in the exam. All questions will require a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered in the work and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation, as appropriate to the work studied (e.g. the effect of narrative voice in a prose text or camera work in a film). Paper 3: Speaking (21-23m including 5m preparation) (30% of total marks) * Discussion of one of the topics covered during the course based on a stimulus card, prepared beforehand (5-6m). * Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9–10 minutes) of the individual research project.
About Education Provider
| Region | North West |
| Local Authority | Manchester |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | Unknown |
| Address | Long Millgate, Manchester, M3 1SB |
In terms of employment prospects, the ability to speak a foreign language is becoming increasingly advantageous. In almost any profession, a facility with at least one other major European language is a vital asset and, most particularly in the world of the professional musician, where the concept of the ‘global village’ is a very real one, the ability to communicate verbally as well as musically is an invaluable skill. Moreover, the study of a foreign language beyond GCSE gives a deeper understanding of the history, culture and traditions of the country concerned and will offer invaluable insight into the minds of great European composers and the development of music in Europe. Our A-level courses also aim to develop the student’s powers of analysis, ability to structure arguments effectively and knowledge of current affairs. The A-level language courses build upon the skills acquired for GCSE, seeking to deepen understanding of the structures of the languages as well as dealing with the social, political and cultural issues affecting much of modern Europe. The foreign language is used as much as possible in the classroom and students should aim to spend some time during the course in the country where the language is spoken. Popular and tailor-made five-day study trips to Berlin and Paris are offered in the Sixth Form in February half-term, giving students the chance to explore many of the set A-Level topics for German and French. Lessons continue to combine and further the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, with greater emphasis on grammatical accuracy than at GCSE, and using authentic materials in the form of foreign-language websites, DVDs, news broadcasts and both adult and teenage literature. The culture of Germany, France and other countries where these are spoken will also be looked at in greater depth.
Unlike most other Sixth Forms, we have no minimum entry requirement at Chetham’s; you are here based on your musical ability. However, if you do not achieve at least a Grade 4 in English Language and Maths in Year 11 then you should re-take the GCSE in Year 12 as these are essential qualifications for future employment. You will be given help to do so. Students who decide to embark on the study of languages in the Sixth Form need to be realistic. The study of languages post-16 is rewarding and stimulating, but also demanding, and it represents a significant jump from the ‘survival’ language situations of GCSE courses. There is a strong emphasis placed on grammatical structure and accuracy, and dictionaries will not be allowed in the examinations. Students must therefore be prepared to spend time acquiring breadth and depth of vocabulary, and also developing and applying the grammatical concepts that become an increasingly important part of language learning post-16. Anyone embarking upon an A-level course should have achieved Grade A or A* at GCSE and, given the oral nature of the course, should show a willingness to speak in class and offer opinions, and an awareness of the moral, ethical, and social problems facing us today. A willingness to spend time independently in the country concerned is also very important. In addition to lessons, students will be expected to spend a minimum of 5 hours a week on independent study i.e. fostering their reading and listening skills, researching vocabulary and writing in French or German, as well as attending small-group sessions with the language assistant. Students who are considering opting for a language at A-level but are unsure of their suitability or ability, should not hesitate to speak to their subject teacher: (s)he is in the best position to give sound advice.
Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (2h30) (50% of total marks) * Listening comprehension: students have an individual mp3 file or CD which they can control. * Reading comprehension. * Translation into and out of the language. Paper 2: Writing (2h) (20% of total marks) * One essay question on the film studied in Year 12 and one on the text in Year 13, answered in German or French. No texts or dictionaries are allowed in the exam. All questions will require a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered in the work and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation, as appropriate to the work studied (e.g. the effect of narrative voice in a prose text or camera work in a film). Paper 3: Speaking (21-23m including 5m preparation) (30% of total marks) * Discussion of one of the topics covered during the course based on a stimulus card, prepared beforehand (5-6m). * Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9–10 minutes) of the individual research project.