AS/A2 Foreign Languages

Why should I study Languages at Cardinal Newman College?Our Language Academy has the best results in the area. Cardinal Newman offers four different languages, exchange visits to France, Spain, Germany and Italy, numerous trips and visits by guest speakers, outstanding teaching, additional lessons for all by native speakers, one to one support, language laboratories and state of the art classrooms; all in the new St Cecilia building
Why Languages could I study?
We offer A Level courses in French, German and Spanish and Fast Track courses in Spanish and Italian.
Do I have to have studied a language at high school?
All languages can be studied post GCSE but Italian and Spanish can also be taken without prior study in that subject (ab initio). You need not have spoken a word of Italian or Spanish before starting your Fast Track course! Our Fast Track language courses in Italian and Spanish allow you to study GCSE in Year 12 and then to complete both AS & A2 Levels in Year 13.
What topics will I study?
All our modern languages courses study the same topics, although the exact subject material does, of course, depend on which language you are studying.

In the first year you will study:

· Leisure and lifestyles

· The individual and society

In the second year you will study:

· Environmental issues

· Social and political issues
What are the lessons like?
Lessons are enjoyable, varied and challenging. You will use all four modern language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) every week and gain an insight into the culture of the foreign country chosen. You will work from audio/video resources, use interactive whiteboards and language labs as well as text books and grammar exercises.
Is there any extra support available for me?
Apart from timetabled lessons, small group conversation classes with native speakers are available to help build your confidence in speaking the foreign language. Individual tuition and one-to one support is available for all language learners in the specialised languages learning area, which is equipped with satellite TV and PCs

The department has a well qualified team of staff, including native speakers. Regular contact with these native speakers will add that extra 'something' to your classes and prove invaluable in helping you to succeed. In addition several tutors are A Level examiners.
Are there trips and visits that I could take part in?
You will be encouraged to participate in trips abroad, including foreign exchanges and cultural visits, day conferences dealing with aspects of language study, email exchanges and other projects. Recent visits have included Florence, Rome, Venice, Verona, Berlin, Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Paris, Poitiers and Blois.
Progression
A working knowledge of other languages enriches life by facilitating travel and encourages cultural exchange and friendships. The ability to communicate in a foreign language will enhance your employment prospects in an increasingly international labour market.