Modern Foreign Languages at DYCA
During their career at the Academy students could have the opprtunity to study three languages. The new intake will all be learning Spanish. However they will also be offered the exciting opportunity to study Mandarin Chinese. In addition students in Key Stage 4 will be studying French.
All students studying a language have the opportunity to gain external accreditation at key points in their course. During the first two years of their language course all students will be entered for Entry Level Certificate (ELC). The majority will also be entered for the Foundation Certificate of Secondary Education (FCSE) which allows students to be accredited up to level 6 of the National Curriculum. We beleive that providing students with these short term goals and rewards helps motivate them to do even better in future and lays down solid foundations for study at higher level such as GCSE and beyond.
Learning a language should be more than just grammar
and vocabulary. For this reason the Academy offers students the chance to learn about and visit countries where the language is spoken in order to learn about their culture and customs. Students are also given the opportunity to visit other schools and language colleges to take part in language based activities and day-long events. Further to this, students may be invited on language trips abroad.
This year there are already trips to Spain and France planned, and with the introduction of Mandarin Chinese into the curriculum, who knows what opportunities may be presented in the future?!
On top of this there are opportunities to visit events related to the target language countries and are encouraged to use information technology to explore these countries. Students have been making video diaries of themselves and their lives in the language they learn here at the Academy. This has given our students the opportunity to use Information Technology and Media to enhance their language learning experience. Much of our assessment in French is also currently carried out using computer-based assessment packages. This gives our students the opportunity to practice many of their language skills integrated into an IT-rich curriculum. |
