Royal School, Armagh

In the Department three languages, French, German and Spanish, are offered to Advanced Level GCE. All pupils study at least one modern foreign language in Years 8 to 12. There are six members of staff - five French teachers, four of whom also take German, and one teacher of Spanish. We also have the services of Foreign Language Assistants in the three languages.

KEY STAGE 3

Pupils in Year 8 take French as their first foreign language. The classes are of mixed ability and pupils are assigned to one of four groups.

In Year 9 all pupils study French for four periods per week also in mixed ability groups. A Graded Objectives (GOML) Level 1 examination is taken at the end of the year.

In Year 10 the first foreign language (FL1) is still French in mixed ability groups. In addition those pupils who have shown aptitude in foreign language learning over the previous two years are given the opportunity to take either German or Spanish as a second foreign language (FL2). Period allocation for first and second foreign languages is three periods per week. For some of those unable to take a second foreign language, a class in Extra French is provided with a similar time allocation. GOML Level 1 is offered at the end of the year to second language pupils and GOML Level 2 to first foreign language pupils.

KEY STAGE 4

After making GCSE subject choices at the end of Year 10, pupils in Year 11 take at least one of those languages previously studied. Some pupils take two foreign languages to GCSE. The allocation for each language is four periods per week. At the end of the year GOML Level 3 in FL1 is taken. FL2 pupils may sit Level 2 or even Level 3, if Level 2 has already been taken at the Winter session.

Year 12 leads to GCSE examinations. Before Mock examinations in the new year, pupils taking French also sit their next GOML level in early December. German and Spanish FL2 pupils may take their levels at the same time.

ADVANCED LEVEL

In Years 13 and 14 French, German and Spanish are offered at AS and A2 Advanced Level to students who have attained Grade C or higher at GCSE. Period allocation is now set at 7 in both Years 13 and 14. In addition most pupils will have two periods per week with the Assistant.

 A Year 13 Repeat class is also available, subject to demand, for those wishing to resit GCSE.

BUSINESS COURSES

As part of the Year 13 General Studies programme, courses in Business French and Business German, each leading to an OCR Certificate in Business Language Competence, are offered on two periods per week.