Modern Languages
Under School - GCSE
French, German and Spanish (Edexcel: 1226, 1231, 1246)
Boys who study foreign languages at Charterhouse will be taught to express themselves confidently and accurately. Considerable emphasis is placed upon the regular acquisition and practical use of new vocabulary. A broad range of topical listening and reading material is covered in hash in conjunction with thorough grammatical explanations and exercises. To study any of these languages as a Remove the language must have been studied in the Fourth Form. Pupils who fail to achieve at least a grade A at GCSE would find a foreign language Pre-U principal subject course extremely challenging.
B P Thurston
Specialists - Cambridge Pre-U
Studying Modern Languages beyond GCSE
Fewer students are studying modern languages beyond GCSE nationally every year. The value of qualifications in foreign languages has been growing correspondingly, particularly as employers are looking for additional areas of expertise when faced with large numbers of applicants for a small number of jobs. Continuing to study one or more modern language is therefore a very attractive option, especially as there is a wide range of degree courses which include the study of languages, apart from language degrees, for example, Law with a language, Economics or Business Studies with a language, or Biochemistry with a language. At Charterhouse both full and short courses follow the Cambridge Pre-U syllabuses.
FRENCH, GERMAN AND SPANISH - FULL COURSES
The Cambridge Pre-U Modern Languages syllabus seeks to immerse pupils in authentic language and culture. Candidates are encouraged to learn in context through engagement with the culture by means of authentic media (press, radio, television, and Internet). These courses are examined at the end of two years of study.
Requirements
Pupils should have taken a GCSE in the language before starting on the Specialist course. All pupils studying modern languages at Specialist level are expected to spend time in the foreign country concerned during their holidays. Language Courses are particularly recommended.
Outline of the course
Paper 1: Speaking
Candidates discuss a newspaper article and matters arising from it. In the second part of this exam candidates discuss a prepared topic related to the history, current affairs, or culture of the areas of the world where the target language is spoken.
Paper 2: Reading and Listening
Candidates answer comprehension questions in both the target language and in English in response to audio and written material. They are also required to translate a passage from English into the target language.
Paper 3: Writing and Usage
In this paper, candidates write one discursive essay in the target language from a choice of five titles. Examples of topics included in the syllabus are: human relationships, patterns of daily life, food and drink, equality of opportunity, war and peace, medical advances, environment, cultural life/heritage, and religion and belief. In the second part of this paper candidates are tested on their grammatical knowledge of the target language.
Paper 4: Topics and Texts
Part I: Cultural topics: Candidates prepare two texts/films for an essay to be written in the target language.
Part II: Literary texts: This part of the examination tests the candidate’s understanding of work of foreign literature and his ability to analyse either an excerpt from the text or an abstract question relating to the text in depth. It is written in English.
Combination with other subjects
Languages can be combined with any subject as they are useful for a wide range of university degree courses and later careers.
University courses in Modern Languages
Degree courses in modern languages will generally require students to have taken the relevant full Pre-U course. Some languages (i.e., Mandarin, Italian) can be learnt from scratch at university as long as an aptitude for language learning is evident.
FRENCH, GERMAN AND SPANISH – SHORT COURSES
These courses are examined at the end of the first year as a Specialist.
Paper 1: Prepared topic discussion
Candidates discuss a prepared topic related to the history, current affairs or culture (including art, cinema, literature and traditions) of the areas of the world where the target language is spoken.
Paper 2: Reading, Listening and Writing
This paper includes a variety of comprehension exercises and a guided piece of writing of 220–250 words in the target language, dealing with a contemporary topic of a general discursive nature. Marks are awarded for grammatical accuracy and linguistic range.
E H Zillekens
To view a short video of the Modern Languages Centre, please use the link below: