French, German and Spanish

Please watch the video below to view some of the more frequently asked questions about these subjects, then scroll down to the forum below to submit any of your own questions.

Thank you for watching.  If your question was not covered in the video, then please use the "add comment" button below to ask one of our teachers for help.  Staff will be live on the forum from 6pm to 8pm on Friday 16th October and will then be checking for questions throughout the weekend (although response times will not be as quick).  The forum will close at 4pm on Monday 19th October, after which you can email any questions to admissions@kesbath.com 

For General Enquiries: The forum below is intended for subject-specific questions. If your query is more general, then please post it on the Admissions and General Enquiries forum and one of our admissions team or senior teachers will get back to you.

RETURN TO THE SIXTH FORM VIRTUAL OPEN EVENING WEBPAGE
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Comments

  1. Hello and welcome to the Modern Languages forum.
    Mr Vass (Head of French), Mrs Charlton (Head of Spanish) and Mr Ferguson (Head of German) will be online this evening to answer any questions you may have regarding A Level Modern Languages at King Edward's School.
    Please feel free to submit your questions below and one of us will get back to you as soon as possible.
    Many thanks!

    Posted by Mr C Ferguson, 16/10/2020 at 17:22

    1. Hello, How much of the final grade is the literature component worth?

      Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 18:25

      1. Good evening!
        For German and Spanish (Eduqas exam board) the written exam, which involves two essays in the target language (one about the film and one about the literature), is worth 20% of the final grade. This means that the essay on the literature topic is worth 10% of the final grade. Translation is assessed in the Listening, Reading and Translation paper.
        For French (Edexcel exam board), the written exam involves the translation of a paragraph into French (worth 5% of the overall mark) and two essays (one about each cultural topic) which are worth 25% of the overall grade. This means that the essay on the literature component is worth 12.5% of the overall grade in French.

        Posted by Mr C Ferguson, 16/10/2020 at 18:32

      2. Hi.
        How many students generally take French at A Level?
        Thanks!

        Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 18:43

        1. We have had seven in the last two A level groups.

          Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:175, 16/10/2020 at 18:47

        2. If the speaking exam is so important, how can A-Level students practise their Spanish, German or French without going abroad?

          Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 18:54

          1. We have a native speaker for each language who gives speaking classes to all Sixth Form students in small groups, usually in pairs, sometimes one to one. This helps them considerably. We also discuss many topics in the target language in lessons.

            Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:175, 16/10/2020 at 19:02

            1. With access to the internet everyone has access to a wide variety of spoken French, German or Spanish online. For example, you can watch many news programmes every day, if you want. This gives you the opportunity to keep up to date, improve your listening skills, both of which will contribute to your your ability to speak in the target language.

              Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:175, 16/10/2020 at 19:25

            2. Is there an exam at the end of Year 12?

              Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 18:56

              1. Yes, all Year 12 sit exams in the summer term, and these usually consist of Past A Level papers. This gives us a very good idea of their progress with reference to the A Level marking criteria.

                Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:175, 16/10/2020 at 19:04

              2. Where will this subject take me? I do not want to study Languages at University although I like the idea of studying a modern Language in the Sixth Form?

                Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 19:01

                1. A Levels in Modern Languages focus on the language of today. The skills you learn will allow you to communicate well with native speakers on a social or professional level. Working abroad or getting to know people while on holiday are both possible.

                  Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:175, 16/10/2020 at 19:08

                2. What advantages might studying a language give me in finding a job?

                  Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 19:37

                  1. Language skills can be used in almost any career and particularly in business that trade internationally.

                    Posted by Mrs B Charlton, 16/10/2020 at 19:48

                  2. Is it a good idea to study three languages at A Level?

                    Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 19:45

                    1. It is possible but we have only had one student choosing that combination in the past. Usually students study one or two languages at A Level. A language combines very well with other subjects so students tend to study a second or third A Level that it is not a language.

                      Posted by Mrs B Charlton, 16/10/2020 at 19:51

                    2. Thank you very much for your questions this evening. If you have any other questions we will be able to respond early next week. ¡Buenas noches! Bonne nuit! Gute Nacht!

                      Posted by Mrs B Charlton, 16/10/2020 at 20:01