Modern Languages at Key Stages 2 and 3
As you may already know, teachers at Polesworth are already introducing French in Y5 and Y6 Curriculum by visiting our Anker Valley Partners once a week. The enthusiasm from the pupils has been overwhelming. Teaching our prospective Y7 is a tremendous advantage and will ensure continuity from primary to secondary school. Don’t worry if you are not currently attending one of our feeder schools, you will get a fast track induction before you arrive and will get extra support from the French languages assistant. It is, however recommended that you find out as soon as possible what has been covered, so that you can ask for a support pack for the summer!
If you think that you may struggle with learning another language, remember that at Polesworth, we have a SEN assistant, who is specialising in Languages and whose timetable is totally dedicated to supporting language classes.
When you arrive at The Polesworth School, you will carry on with French and later, will pick up German. We are currently looking at other qualifications and awards besides the traditional GCSE. We are currently looking at other qualifications and awards besides the traditional GCSE. There will be opportunities to start Spanish and Chinese. Every year 7 class has the opportunity to learn Chinese with a lesson once a fortnight. For the rest of the school however, these are organized in extra Curriculum (lunch and twilight) classes. They are organized for Lower and Upper School separately. We will also have a French, a German and a Chinese Assistant for the duration of the academic year.
At the end of Y9, trips to Germany and France are organized at the end of the summer term. It is an excellent first opportunity to explore the culture of the language you have been studying. For the past two years we have taken students on an immersion course to China. This has proved extremely popular and is something we will be hoping to continue. With our Chinese Assistant coming from our partner school, Bibo Middle School in Shenzhen, we are trying to organize a more guaranteed exchange programme. We haven’t got an exchange with Spain at the moment, but it may well become a regular fixture on our school calendar!
We are looking at introducing the Languages Ladder through OCR’s Asset Languages. This will allow you, over the next few years to acquire awards for progress from Year 5 throughout your life (up to masters if you wish) in any of the four skills separately or together.
During the spring term, a day at Warwick University is organised by the LEA called Languages mean Business. This is an opportunity to meet and talk to a range of local business people, who use their language skills in different areas of their business. You also get taster lessons in a selection of languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Italian.
In the summer term, you can join a 5 day study visit to the Rhine Valley in Germany, or Brittany in France, depending upon the language you have been studying.
If you have any queries, why not contact Mrs McLay at The Polesworth School.
Mrs McLay
Director of Modern Languages
01827 702205