Modern Foreign Languages
At Edgbaston High School, studying a modern foreign language means being immersed in your chosen language and culture, taught by passionate native speakers who bring lessons to life far beyond the textbook.
At Edgbaston High School, studying a modern foreign language means being immersed in your chosen language and culture, taught by passionate native speakers who bring lessons to life far beyond the textbook.
To study either French, German or Spanish, you will need at least a Grade 7 in your chosen language at GCSE level.
What will you learn?
Studying a modern foreign language at A-Level develops advanced speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, while deepening your understanding of the culture, society and current issues in countries where the language is spoken. You will also build confidence in expressing ideas, debating topics and analysing authentic texts such as films, literature and news.
Course Components
E.g. changing family structures, social media, the role of voluntary work, marginalised communities.
Exploring art, cinema, architecture, politics, immigration, multiculturalism, political life etc.
Students are required to have a strong command of grammar: morphology, syntax, idiom, wide range of structures (tenses, moods, conditional, passive, etc.). They need to be able to manipulate these structures accurately.
Students must study either one film + one book, or two books (or similar literary texts). They will analyse these works: themes, characters, stylistic devices, narrative voice or cinematic technique.
There is a requirement for independent research on a topic of personal interest related to countries where the language is spoken. This is assessed via speaking. It develops skills in gathering information from authentic sources, summarising, analysing, and presenting.
Skills you will develop
Communication
Listening, speaking, reading, writing. Students engage with texts and spoken sources, both authentic and adapted.
Translation
From the target language into English, and from English into the target language. This helps deepen grammatical and lexical precision.
Fluency & Spontaneous Use
Speaking, interaction, presenting viewpoints, arguing, persuading, etc. The student is expected not just to know grammar but to use it to communicate clearly and coherently.
Research Skills & Critical Analysis
Selecting materials, summarising findings, expressing them in the target language and interpreting meaning, analysing style and structure, comparing perspectives, understanding culture in context.
Students who study this subject, often have careers in...
French
In A-Level French, you will develop a deep understanding of the francophone world through the study of culture, society and politics. You will explore francophone culture, French politics and the history of the European Union, alongside key social themes such as family life in the 21st century, volunteering, immigration and the impact of social media. You will also engage with music from the francophone world, enriching your cultural awareness and language skills. Your studies are complemented by in-depth analysis of a French film in Year 12, Au Revoir les enfants, and a novel in Year 13, Bonjour tristesse, allowing you to explore historical, cultural and moral themes through authentic texts.
In A-Level French, you will develop a deep understanding of the francophone world through the study of culture, society and politics. You will explore francophone culture, French politics and the history of the European Union, alongside key social themes such as family life in the 21st century, volunteering, immigration and the impact of social media. You will also engage with music from the francophone world, enriching your cultural awareness and language skills. Your studies are complemented by in-depth analysis of a French film in Year 12, Au Revoir les enfants, and a novel in Year 13, Bonjour tristesse, allowing you to explore historical, cultural and moral themes through authentic texts.
German
In A-Level German, you will explore German-speaking society, culture and politics through a wide range of engaging topics. You will study social issues and trends such as the changing nature of family life, the impact of the digital world, and youth culture including fashion, music and TV. You will also delve into political and artistic culture, from festivals, traditions, art and architecture to cultural life in Berlin, past and present, as well as music, media and contemporary art. Alongside this, you will examine immigration and multiculturalism, looking at reasons for migration, life for immigrants and the challenges of integration, before exploring key aspects of political life in the German-speaking world, including Germany’s relationship with the EU, youth political engagement, and the impact of German reunification.
In A-Level German, you will explore German-speaking society, culture and politics through a wide range of engaging topics. You will study social issues and trends such as the changing nature of family life, the impact of the digital world, and youth culture including fashion, music and TV. You will also delve into political and artistic culture, from festivals, traditions, art and architecture to cultural life in Berlin, past and present, as well as music, media and contemporary art. Alongside this, you will examine immigration and multiculturalism, looking at reasons for migration, life for immigrants and the challenges of integration, before exploring key aspects of political life in the German-speaking world, including Germany’s relationship with the EU, youth political engagement, and the impact of German reunification.
Spanish
In A-Level Spanish, you will explore the richness and diversity of the Hispanic world through society, culture and politics. You will study modern and traditional values, the role of technology, and issues of equality within Hispanic society, alongside artistic culture including music, fame, regional identity and cultural heritage. You will also examine multiculturalism, focusing on immigration, racism and integration, before exploring political life in the Hispanic world, from citizen participation and social movements to monarchies and dictatorships. Your studies are enriched through literature and film, including Federico García Lorca’s La Casa de Bernarda Alba and Pedro Almodóvar’s Volver, which allow you to deepen your understanding of language, culture and social themes.
In A-Level Spanish, you will explore the richness and diversity of the Hispanic world through society, culture and politics. You will study modern and traditional values, the role of technology, and issues of equality within Hispanic society, alongside artistic culture including music, fame, regional identity and cultural heritage. You will also examine multiculturalism, focusing on immigration, racism and integration, before exploring political life in the Hispanic world, from citizen participation and social movements to monarchies and dictatorships. Your studies are enriched through literature and film, including Federico García Lorca’s La Casa de Bernarda Alba and Pedro Almodóvar’s Volver, which allow you to deepen your understanding of language, culture and social themes.
How will you be assessed?
This subject is assessed by both exam based and non-exam based assessments.
AQAPaper One: Listening, reading & writing
This includes listening passages of various lengths and registers; reading texts from various sources; tasks such as comprehension, summary; plus one translation into English and one into the target language.
Paper Two: Writing
Students write two essays in the target language about the works (book/film) studied. Emphasis is on critical analysis and evaluation.
Paper Three: Speaking
The speaking exam includes a presentation, a discussion of the research topic, a photo card with follow up conversation. The speaking test assesses fluency, interaction, ability to develop ideas, grammatical control in speech.
Who will teach you?
Mrs C Cardellino
Head of MFL & German
Ms M Barbet
Head of French
Mr B Dawlatly
Head of Spanish
Mrs A Harpwood
Teacher of French & German
Mr A Flox-Nieva
Teacher of Spanish
Students who study this subject, often get accepted at...
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