Studying languages in the Sixth Form is excellent preparation for boys considering studying modern languages at university, but equally worthwhile for those with other aspirations because languages are perfect complementary subjects. Modern languages combine particularly well with Classics, English and History. They are also very useful to study alongside Economics and Mathematics for those considering university and career options in business and finance. A combination with the sciences can also be favourable: major European pharmaceutical companies such as Bayer and Novartis are based in the UK as well as on the Continent and language skills are sought after among their prospective employees. Many FTSE 100 companies stress that language skills give applicants a distinct advantage. But modern language A-levels are not only highly regarded by UK employers and universities; for boys intending to apply to the US, a modern language A-level can set a candidate apart from the rest. At many US universities students are required to take courses outside of their specialism and languages are perfect for that. For those who continue beyond A-levels, a degree in modern language is excellent preparation for a career in the diplomatic and security services, as well as a strong foundation for a legal career and a whole range of other professions. All modern languages in the Sixth Form follow the Edexcel A-level courses, with terminal assessments in all four skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The structure of the courses is broadly the same for all languages, with some exceptions for Japanese, which is listed separately below. The Mandarin Chinese A-Level is best suited for the very brightest boys and heritage speakers. The others are encouraged to sit the HSK, China’s official proficiency test, for which we prepare the boys on the timetable in a parallel division. For full details of the courses and their specifications visit qualifications.pearson.com. Boys will normally be prepared for these examinations by two beaks, with a further period each week in smaller groups with our excellent and experienced Language Assistants. Boys intending to study modern languages in the Sixth Form are strongly advised to attend study trips over the Lower Sixth year, either those organised by the Modern Languages Department or arranged privately, to help them develop their linguistic abilities in a native speaker environment. There is a department travel prize in honour of a former language beak that can be awarded to one or possibly two boys to help with this.
We welcome applications from boys who: are likely to be predicted at least seven or eight passes at GCSE (or equivalent) at grade 7/8/9 (A/A*); IGCSE/GCSE requirement: grade 7 in the relevant language
Paper One Listening, reading and translation (2 hours, written paper, 40% of mark) Candidates complete a series of reading and listening exercises from a variety of types of authentic texts and listening material, as well as a translation from the target language into English. They are assessed on their ability to understand the gist and main ideas, interpret complex language, identify explicitly and implicitly stated ideas, draw inferences, synthesise information, and identify vocabulary and structures by applying close reading skills. Paper Two Written response to works and translation (2 hours 40 minutes, 30% of mark) Candidates translate an unseen passage from English into the target language and complete two essays in the target language on either two literary texts or one literary text and one film. Candidates should produce responses that show a critical appreciation of features such as key concepts and issues, characterisation, form, and technique of presentation, for example, the effect of narrative voice in prose text or the effect of camera work in film, and social and cultural settings. In their writing, they should present viewpoints, develop arguments, conclude, and analyse and evaluate the texts they have studied. A full list of the prescribed literary texts and films can be found in the specifications on the Edexcel website. Recent texts and films taught in the department include Sartre: Les Mains Sales; Solzhenitsyn: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich; Benigni: La vita è Bella; and Salles: Diarios de Motocicleta. Paper Three Speaking (approx. 18 minutes, internally conducted and externally assessed, 30% of mark) There are two parts to the test. In the first part, candidates present and discuss ideas and issues arising from a stimulus card with a choice of two topics.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Harrow |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Boys |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £50,550 |
| Address | 5 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA1 3HP |
Studying languages in the Sixth Form is excellent preparation for boys considering studying modern languages at university, but equally worthwhile for those with other aspirations because languages are perfect complementary subjects. Modern languages combine particularly well with Classics, English and History. They are also very useful to study alongside Economics and Mathematics for those considering university and career options in business and finance. A combination with the sciences can also be favourable: major European pharmaceutical companies such as Bayer and Novartis are based in the UK as well as on the Continent and language skills are sought after among their prospective employees. Many FTSE 100 companies stress that language skills give applicants a distinct advantage. But modern language A-levels are not only highly regarded by UK employers and universities; for boys intending to apply to the US, a modern language A-level can set a candidate apart from the rest. At many US universities students are required to take courses outside of their specialism and languages are perfect for that. For those who continue beyond A-levels, a degree in modern language is excellent preparation for a career in the diplomatic and security services, as well as a strong foundation for a legal career and a whole range of other professions. All modern languages in the Sixth Form follow the Edexcel A-level courses, with terminal assessments in all four skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The structure of the courses is broadly the same for all languages, with some exceptions for Japanese, which is listed separately below. The Mandarin Chinese A-Level is best suited for the very brightest boys and heritage speakers. The others are encouraged to sit the HSK, China’s official proficiency test, for which we prepare the boys on the timetable in a parallel division. For full details of the courses and their specifications visit qualifications.pearson.com. Boys will normally be prepared for these examinations by two beaks, with a further period each week in smaller groups with our excellent and experienced Language Assistants. Boys intending to study modern languages in the Sixth Form are strongly advised to attend study trips over the Lower Sixth year, either those organised by the Modern Languages Department or arranged privately, to help them develop their linguistic abilities in a native speaker environment. There is a department travel prize in honour of a former language beak that can be awarded to one or possibly two boys to help with this.
We welcome applications from boys who: are likely to be predicted at least seven or eight passes at GCSE (or equivalent) at grade 7/8/9 (A/A*); IGCSE/GCSE requirement: grade 7 in the relevant language
Paper One Listening, reading and translation (2 hours, written paper, 40% of mark) Candidates complete a series of reading and listening exercises from a variety of types of authentic texts and listening material, as well as a translation from the target language into English. They are assessed on their ability to understand the gist and main ideas, interpret complex language, identify explicitly and implicitly stated ideas, draw inferences, synthesise information, and identify vocabulary and structures by applying close reading skills. Paper Two Written response to works and translation (2 hours 40 minutes, 30% of mark) Candidates translate an unseen passage from English into the target language and complete two essays in the target language on either two literary texts or one literary text and one film. Candidates should produce responses that show a critical appreciation of features such as key concepts and issues, characterisation, form, and technique of presentation, for example, the effect of narrative voice in prose text or the effect of camera work in film, and social and cultural settings. In their writing, they should present viewpoints, develop arguments, conclude, and analyse and evaluate the texts they have studied. A full list of the prescribed literary texts and films can be found in the specifications on the Edexcel website. Recent texts and films taught in the department include Sartre: Les Mains Sales; Solzhenitsyn: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich; Benigni: La vita è Bella; and Salles: Diarios de Motocicleta. Paper Three Speaking (approx. 18 minutes, internally conducted and externally assessed, 30% of mark) There are two parts to the test. In the first part, candidates present and discuss ideas and issues arising from a stimulus card with a choice of two topics.