Modern Languages French and/or German and/or Spanish

MODERN LANGUAGES (French and/or German and/or Spanish)

Why should I come to Pendleton College?
What you will find here at Pendleton is a supportive learning environment where you can drop in at any time to ask staff for help, especially in the run-up to examinations. Teaching takes place in a state of the art digital language laboratory, which makes learning a language more fun and interesting. Members of the class quickly get to know each other through a range of activities and work takes place in a friendly but hardworking atmosphere. Enthusiastic teachers will communicate to you their love of language learning and enjoy watching you become more fluent and confident.

What will I study?
In items from magazines, books and newspapers, you will study a whole variety of topics from the family to fiestas and films and fun with tourism, from events in sport to Europe and environmental issues, and much, much more. You will study grammatical concepts as well as information about France, Germany or Spain. Topics which are of interest to you personally - the film industry, actors, singers, writers, artists, sportsmen or women, historical or political figures or events relating to the French, German or Spanish speaking parts of the world - can become the subject of a special study of your own choosing.

What will I achieve?
Firstly, a great deal of enjoyment: modern languages lessons are interesting and fun. Secondly, satisfaction: it is so fulfilling to be able to communicate in a foreign language and if you rise to the challenge you will feel very proud of your achievement. Thirdly, you will be a much sought after candidate in the job market: employers repeatedly say that linguists are in possession of a large number of skills which make them highly desirable. Finally, you will broaden your mind in a cultural sense and, in today's global village, you will make an ideal citizen.

How is the course assessed?
There are four exams in all over two years (two for AS and two for A2). The four skills - speaking, reading, listening and writing - are tested in a combination of exams where you will show your ability to talk about a range of topics, read articles from magazines and newspapers and respond to them, write short items or essays to express your point of view, and listen to news reports or interviews and show that you have understood them.

What else will I do?
You may well travel to a French, German or Spanish speaking country or maintain e-mail links with young people there as we believe such experiences are valuable and enriching. You are encouraged to take part in study days where you have to chance to practise your language skills in a different situation as well as seeing the Modern Languages Department of one of our local universities. Visits to the cinema to watch and study French, German or Spanish films are organised; we are fortunate to be within easy reach of the Cornerhouse Cinema in Manchester who organise excellent study events. You can also borrow videos, books and magazines to enhance your studies. And, of course, you can drop in to the department at lunchtime to chat (in a foreign language preferably) to your teachers!