Modern Languages
Modern Languages Department, one of the largest in the school, is at the heart of our designation as a Language College. We are based in a suite of classrooms, each of which is equipped with state of the art digital audio and visual equipment. Students also have access to a recently upgraded multimedia ICT suite. All students learn French from the First Year to GCSE. In the Third Year, boys begin a second language. Compared with similar schools around the country, LRGS boasts a strong intake of students who pursue one or more modern languages in the Sixth Form. With over 80% of students attaining an A or B grade at A-level, results are very good. Indeed, a couple of years ago, the school was awarded for the best A-level Spanish results achieved by boys in a selective state school.
Our boys are the primary commitment of the department. Our work, however, extends beyond our classrooms into the local community. In collaboration with the other local secondary schools, we support the teaching of French in local primary schools. Lessons are delivered on a weekly basis to Key Stages 1 and 2 with personal mentoring for primary colleagues and the provision of learning resources.
Within school, we work in close collaboration with Lancaster University and the University of Cumbria. We are dedicated to training PGCE students and to attracting new recruits to the Languages Classroom within the Student Associate Scheme.
Aims of the department:
- To ensure all boys fulfil their potential in understanding and communicating in a modern foreign language
- To foster an appreciation and respect for other cultures and people groups
- To nurture an awareness and understanding of how language works
- To develop fundamental cross-curricular skills such as literacy, numeracy, ICT, problem solving and working with others
- To ensure students become informed active players within society
European Exchanges
Pupils studying Modern Foreign Languages have the opportunity to go abroad on exchanges in France and Germany, where they live with host families for a week. The primary purpose is to improve language skills, but we see it as an opportunity for pupils on both sides to develop their social skills, both as hosts and guests, and to gain a greater understanding of and empathy with each other's culture and people.
Staff Profiles
Miss S Haigh BA Head of Department
A graduate of Lady Margaret's Hall, Oxford, Miss Haigh teaches both French and German. As Head of Department, she both coordinates the teaching of French at Key Stage 3 and has a responsibility for trips and exchanges. At A-level, Miss Haigh is our expert in 17th century literature. Equally, she is our subject mentor for PGCE students at the University of Cumbria.
Mrs Anke Dower BA
A German and French teacher with a wide experience as a classroom practitioner, Mrs Dower is a native speaker and a key member of our German A-level team. She organizes the German exchange to Rendsburg and has had key role in developing and delivering our 1st Year curriculum.
Mr S Gorse BA
A graduate from Bradford University, Mr Gorse teaches French and Spanish in Lower, Middle and Upper School. As well as experience in British schools, he has taught in Canada. He is a creative teacher, developing new and refreshing ways of learning a language. Indeed, a number of his ideas have caught the attention of the media and the wider language-learning community. Particular areas of expertise and interest include the use of the internet as a learning platform for audio-visual material.
Mr S Higgins BEd
A graduate of Leeds University, Mr Higgins is a highly respected teacher with an outstanding track record of results. He teaches French to boys in the Third Year and at GCSE.
Mrs L Lightbody BA
A graduate in French and Italian from Lancaster University, Mrs Lightbody is our Primary Languages Coordinator. As well as teaching French, Italian and Life (Sixth Form General Studies) within LRGS, she works in local primary schools, teaching and mentoring primary colleagues to enable them to deliver French to Key Stage 2 in their own schools. She does this as part of the school's Language College status.
Miss J McKenzie BA
Jemma graduated from the University of Liverpool (French and Hispanic Studies) and moved to Lancaster in 2011 to take on the role of Spanish Co-ordinator. Prior to joining LRGS, she taught for five years and was Head of Subject for three. She has run lots of trips in the past and plans on doing more at LRGS. She enjoys doing practical lessons when possible such as Spanish cookery. She used to live and work as an English assistant in Logrono in La Rioja Spain, she loves swimming and badminton and also teaches French.
Mr A Parker BA
Mr Parker graduated from Liverpool University shortly after decimilisation. Gaining teaching experience in Sheffield before joining LRGS, he has a keen interest in cricket and is an avid supporter of Lancashire. In charge of U13 cricket for many years, he is also a marker for the AQA and Edexcel examination boards.
Mrs P Penarrocha
A native teacher of Spanish, Mrs Penarrocha is a graduate of Lancaster University. She teaches Spanish to Key Stage 3 and provides support to GCSE and A-level Spanish students.
Mr A Yelland BA
With a wide range of experience in high profile independent and state schools, Mr Yelland possesses a certain predilection for the intricacies of French grammar. A graduate of Leicester University, he is also an avid reader of classical literature.
French Assistant
Each year, we host a native French Assistant who works mainly with the Fifth and Sixth Form. He or she is, however, available to help any pupil.
Email Modern Languages Department
Modern Languages 11+
11+ Curriculum
At Key Stage 3, all boys are taught French in their form groups, thus creating mixed ability teaching sets. Pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and to support set work with independent study. When starting French at the beginning of the First Year, each pupil should purchase their own French dictionary (available at the school shop). Dictionaries are also required for when students embark on their second language. Learning tasks are normally a balance of interactive communicative activities with more traditional reading and writing tasks. Grammar is usually taught within the context of the topic being studied. When needing help at home, pupils may want to refer to the grammar section at the end of their textbook.
Pupils have formal examinations at the end of November and in the summer term but teachers carry out ongoing assessment throughout the year. Below is an outline of the topics covered in each of the three years.
First Year
The curriculum is creative and imaginative, being comprised of a series of cross-curricular topic areas such as ‘The planets and space’ (cf. science) and ‘Festivals’ (cf. Religious Studies). It is designed to cater for the individual needs of the child, building on the linguistic skills and knowledge acquired at primary school. Provision for students who have no prior experience of a Modern Language is also incorporated into the course to ensure that they quickly achieve the same standards as their peers.
Second Year
Within the KS3 framework, students follow a course incorporating language relating to holidays, travel, family life, school life in France, parts of the body, at the doctors, eating and making arrangements to go out.
Second Modern Foreign Language
In the Second Year, boys begin a second language (German or Spanish). These year courses provide a taste of the language, complementing language work in French.
Third Year
At this stage, students can decide which of their Modern Languages they would like to adopt as their main language. The vast majority of pupils continue with two Modern Languages while a minority opt to take Ancient Greek. In the pre-GCSE year, boys build on previous knowledge and skills within the topics of Paris, young people, history, youth hostelling, the future, Quebec, cycling and where to stay on holiday. This course provides a solid foundation for future GCSE success.
11+ Extra-curricular Projects
Lower School pupils may wish to be involved in the International Society (weekly lunchtime meetings in Room 10). In the summer, the department organizes an outward bound residential to a château in Normandy. Students visit local places of interest and have the opportunity to take part in a variety of outdoor pursuits. All meals and activities are undertaken in French.
Modern Languages 13+
13+ Curriculum
In French, German and Spanish, students sit the examinations for the AQA specification. A Modern Language is compulsory at GCSE however, boys can choose any language from those they have already studied. Indeed, a great many pupils continue with two languages. Most pupils are taught in mixed ability sets. There is, however, a smaller coaching group available for boys who would benefit from a more personalized approach. Peer mentoring is also offered to assist students reach their potential. All boys are provided with their own textbook in addition to other class materials and past papers. The GCSE is composed of four papers: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Speaking and writing have a weighting of 30% each while listening and reading each represent 20% of the overall grade. The contexts of learning are:
- Health
- Relationship and choices
- Free time and the media
- Holidays
- Home and local area
- Environment
- School and future plans
- Current and future jobs
13+ Extra-curricular Projects
In the Fourth Year, boys have the opportunity to participate in our exchanges. We have exchanges with schools in Ambérieu, Lyons and Rendsburg.
Modern Languages - Sixth Form
Sixth Form Curriculum
At present, we offer AS and A-levels in French, German and Spanish. The course is for students who:
- enjoy manipulating language
- are interested in the life and issue faced by those living in other countries
- are interested in current affairs
- enjoy reading
- enjoy travelling
The AS Course
The structure of the course is as follows.
Unit 1: Listening, Reading and Writing
- 70% of the AS (35% of the full A-level)
- 2 hour examination
- 110 marks
Unit 2: Speaking Test
- 30% of the AS (15% of the full A-level)
- 35 minutes speaking test (with 20 minutes preparation)
- 50 marks
The AS Course studies the following areas.
- Media: TV, advertising and communication technology
- Popular culture: cinema, music and fashion/trends
- Healthy living and lifestyle: sport/exercise, health and well- being and holiday
- Family and relationships: relationships within the family
- Friendships, marriage and partnerships
The A2 Course
The structure of the course is as follows.
Unit 3: Listening, Reading and Writing
- 35% of the full A-level
- 2 hour 30 minutes examination
- 110 marks
Unit 4: Speaking Test
- 5% of the full A-level
- 35 minutes speaking test (with 20 minutes preparation)
- 50 marks
The A2 Course studies the following areas.
- Environment: pollution, energy and protecting the planet
- The multi-cultural society: immigration, integration and racism
- Contemporary social issues: wealth and poverty, law and order and the impact of scientifc and technological progress
- The study of a cultural topic: usually two works of literature ranging from the 17th to the 20th century 6th Form Extra-curricular ProjectsIn the Sixth Form, there are a large number of travel opportunities.
- French Exchange to Lyons or Ambérieu
- German work experience; German Exchange to Rendsburg; Berlin visit
- The Richard Long Grant for study trips to Spain
- Comenius visits to France (Montargis), Germany, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Poland
- Sixth Form travel grants to assist with special, extraordinary trips
In addition, there are many possibilities for hosting and befriending international students visiting Lancaster. Within the department, from time to time, we organize speaking, reading and creative writing competitions. In terms of honing language skills, every student has a scheduled tutorial with our Foreign Language Assistant. Furthermore, all language students participate in language days at the University of Cumbria where they work with native speakers. There are also supplementary A-level workshops organised in collaboration with examiners and the other secondary schools in the city.
