Modern Languages Sixth Sense Resources

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
Edexcel assumes that most students will normally have achieved at least the equivalent of GCSE Grade C in the relevant language before taking this course. You will need to feel confident at this level in the four language skills of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. You must also have some knowledge and understanding of the culture and way of life of the target-language country. You need to be interested in developing this understanding and in exploring in much more depth the topic areas that you will have covered at GCSE.

What will I learn on this A level course?
The course will help you to develop your general study skills, but most of all you will learn to communicate at a higher level in the language that you have chosen. You will also learn much more about a wide range of aspects of the society or societies in which the language is spoken.

Reading
You will be able to read, understand and extract information from written passages in the target language that are taken from authentic sources, such as magazines and newspapers, reports or books.

Listening
You will be able to listen to, and understand contemporary spoken language and answer questions on what you have heard. The passages that you will learn to listen to will be taken from a range of sources such as news reports on the radio or TV, weather forecasts, announcements, interviews and discussions.

Speaking and Writing
You will learn how to write essays or longer pieces and to hold conversations and discussions in the target language. You will learn all the appropriate grammar, words and phrases that will help you to:

What kind of student is this course suitable for?
If you are interested in languages and communication, and you enjoy learning about other cultures and ways of life, then the Modern Foreign Languages course could be suitable for you. Similarly, if you are interested in the business world, in travel or tourism, in literature, or in journalism and the media, then you are also likely to find the course appropriate. There are a number of options in the course where you can choose,,.your topic or question to suit your interests. Whether you want to use language for work, for further study, training, or for leisure, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge.

What examinations will 1 have to take to get my qualification?
AS - AS is short for Advanced Subsidiary. This is the first half of the A level course. it is a stepping-stone to the full A level qualification. You can take just the AS on its own, if you and your teacher agree that this is best for you. You can even decide at the end of the AS course whether to continue to take the full A level qualification. The AS consists of the three units described below:

Unit 1 Listening and Writing (1 hour)
You will have to listen to 5-6 minutes of recorded material. The material will relate to the contemporary society or culture of the target-language country or communities. You will have individual control of the recording and may stop, rewind and replay the recording as you wish, and take notes or write answers at any point. You will have to answer questions in the target language and in English.

Unit 2 Reading and Writing (2 hours)
Here you will be expected to read about five passages in the target language. The passages will relate again to the contemporarysociety or culture of the target- language country or communities. You will have to answer questions in the target language, and in English. One of the passages will be a "stimulus" for a task, in which you will have to write 140-160 words in the form of a letter, report or article, in the target language.

Unit 3 Prepared Oral Topic (10-12 minutes)
You will be expected during the course to prepare a topic of your choice, which deals with an aspect of culture or society in the target-language country. You may also study a literary text for this unit. You will have to present the topic for 1-2 minutes and then hold a conversation with the examiner about it. You can take into the examination a list of 5-10 headings, which you can use as a prompt to remind you which key aspects of the topic you want to talk about.

A level - The full A level qualification is made up of the AS units plus three more units which are studied at a higher level. You don't necessarily have to take the full A level qualification; you can still get a certificate just for the AS, and your teacher will advise you on what is best. If you do decide to take the second half of the course it will cover the three units described below.

Unit 4/1 Oral Discussion of Issues (10-12 minutes)
You will be asked, in advance of the examination, to prepare an issue that relates to the target-language culture or society. It is important that you choose an issue that you feel strongly about, as you will have to outline the issue to the examiner for about 1 minute and take a definite stance towards it. You will be required to defend this stance and argue your point of view. You will then have to hold a discussion on two further issues, one of which will be totally unpredictable. This examination tests your ability to argue and to cope with spontaneous discussion in the target language.

Unit 4/2 Interpreting (10-12 minutes)
You may choose instead of the discussion to carry out an interpreting task for this unit. You will be given 3 minutes to familiarise yourself with the task. You will then have to communicate essential information in a practical situation related to school/college, work, business, leisure or travel to a non-speaker of the target language.

Unit 5/1 Topic or Text (1 hour 30 minutes)
In preparation for this unit you will study either a topic or a text from a prescribed list. The list includes a range of socio-historical and literacy topics and both modern and classical texts. In the examination you will have to attempt one answer of at least 350 words in the target language. This unit tests your knowledge of the topic or text you have chosen and your ability to organise and develop your ideas in the target language.

Unit 5/2 Coursework
Instead of the exam for Unit 5 you may choose to study and research a topic of your choice related to the target-language country. You are required to read extensively in the target language about the topic and to write a piece of work that totals approximately 1200 words.

Unit 6: Listening, Reading and Writing in Registers (2 hours 45 minutes)
This unit is divided into three parts:

Listening and Writing (45 minutes)
You will be required to listen to two passages of recorded material. You will have to answer questions in the target language and write a summary in English of 80-100 words.

Reading and Writing
You will be required to read one passage in the target language. There will be questions in the target language and a short translation exercise from English into the target language.

Writing in Registers
Writing in Registers here means choosing the right kind of language for different situations. You will be required to answer one question taken from any of three headings:

Creative Writing
There will be a choice of three questions, in which you will have to use the target language imaginatively to write a creative response to a text, or a text and a visual. The third question will be a journalistic option in which you will have to respond to a headline or a headline and visual. Your response in each case should be about 250 words long.

Discursive Essays
There will be a choice of four questions. You will have to write about 250 words on one of these five areas: current affairs, social problems, philosophical issues, the environment, International.European issues.

Task-based Assignment
There will be a choice of two questions. You will be requried to carry out a typical in-tray exercise based on target-language data such as a letter, fax, memo, advert, article or report. You will be required to study the data and write a response of about 225 words.

How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this course?
As well as covering advanced level study of Modern Foreign Languages, this course will enable you to develop some Key Skills, which will be essential to you whatever you go on to do afterwards. The Key Skills you can develop during this course are listed in the table below:


Key Skill	Typical Activities
Communication	Presenting your chosen topic for Unit 3 and expressing opinions and ideas/writing a letter to an environmental organisation seeking information.
Information Technology	Producing a newsletter or poster/ using the internet and CD ROMS.
Working with others	Role-plays/working on an exchange project / work experience abroad.
Improving own learning and performance	Setting targets with the teacher for coursework and/or oral topic/ receiving feedback on working and taking forward suggestions on how to improve it.

NB: The Key Skill of Communication has to be assessed in English, Irish or Welsh, so you would not be able to use work in the target-language for your portfolio of evidence for Communication.

What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
There will be a rang of opportunities open to you, where you can continue to use and further develop your language skills and knowledge of contemporary society. Some students choose to do degree courses in languages; others choose to pursue a Higher Education course in another subject, but choose a language option alongside it. Having a language at AS or A level will certainly improve your employability, in particular with companies which have international branches. Whether you are interested in continuing your studies or working at home or abroad, a language course at AS or A level is an excellent step towards achieving your goals.