Languages

Fourth Form (Years 7 and 8)

In Lower 4, all pupils learn two languages from French, German, Spanish and Mandarin. They continue with both until the end of Upper 4 when they decide which language(s) to study to (I)GCSE.

During this stage, pupils gain the confidence to communicate orally and on paper about subjects that include Personal Information, Holidays, Education, Hobbies, the World of Work, and World Problems.

We also emphasise the global nature of languages and all pupils have the opportunity to travel abroad – to Normandy in Lower 4 and Hamburg and Seville in Upper 4.

In Mandarin pupils are offered a Chinese dumpling making session in the school Refectory and a trip to China is available to pupils in Upper 4.

Fifth Form (Years 9, 10 and 11)

Norwich School offers four languages at GCSE: Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. We encourage all pupils to choose a language, although it is not compulsory.

French and Spanish follow the IGCSE course. The course requires that they understand, and can convey information about, topics including Health, Relationships, Free Time and the Media, Holidays, Home and Local Area, Environment, School and Future Plans, Current and Future Jobs, and World Problems.

For German, we offer AQA German at GCSE level with the chance to study a range of interesting topics including Identity and Relationships with Others, Healthy Living and Lifestyle, Education and Work, Customs, Festivals and Celebrations, Travel and Tourism, Media and Technology and the Environment. All four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are given equal importance and we also develop the skills of dictation, translation, grammar knowledge and cultural understanding.

We offer an Edexcel GCSE in Chinese which includes identity and culture, local area, holiday and travel, school, future aspirations, study and work, international and global dimension. Pupils are also given the opportunity to make Chinese spring rolls in the school Refectory and there is a trip to China is available to Fifth Form pupils.

Pupils are examined in the skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. We supplement the core textbooks with authentic materials from magazines, newspapers, radio, television and the Internet.

Pupils are encouraged to access a variety of extra reading and listening exercises from the school network. They also enjoy the chance to take part in one of our exchanges/study visits to France, Germany or Spain and have contact with a foreign language assistant in preparation for their speaking exams.

Sixth Form

The Languages Department offers an exciting and vibrant learning experience to pupils of all ages. Our mission is not merely to teach the nuts and bolts of grammar and vocabulary, but to instil a lasting love of languages. To achieve this, we exploit a range of engaging activities and resources. A lesson might be based around the current affairs of the nation in which a language is spoken, or through its literature, film and cultural life.

French, German and Spanish are offered at A level, with those departments following the AQA specification.

Employers favour well-rounded recruits, and candidates with language skills are often at an advantage. Sixth Form uptake is high and many pupils take their languages further, whether by pursuing them at degree level or by combining a language with another subject such as History, International Management or Engineering.

Great emphasis is placed upon spending time in the home of a language, and all pupils are strongly urged to participate in an exchange scheme or some form of study abroad. Such experiences allow pupils to immerse themselves in the life and culture of a nation.

The German Department runs a successful and long-established exchange with Liechtenstein. The French Department offers an exchange to Perpignan, where pupils are immersed in both the French language and culture. The Spanish Department runs annual study visits to alternating cities such as Cádiz and Madrid, whereby pupils stay with host families run through a local language school, in order to have a full immersive experience.

Each department has a native Foreign Language Assistant to conduct one-to-one or small group speaking sessions with Sixth Formers. Sixth Form pupils can also take part in the Language Leader Programme as part of their Community Service and learn the basics of how to teach languages in a primary setting while also assisting younger Norwich School pupils in their Modern Foreign Language (MFL) lessons and gain a leadership award.

Furthermore, we offer a variety of extra-curricular opportunities such as debating competitions, revision conferences and study day trips.

Spanish A Level Information French A Level Information German A Levenl Information Chinese A Level Information

Where Languages can take you

Studying Languages not only increases your fluency and communication skills but also your confidence, global outlook, study skills and employability. Languages are fun and varied as pupils learn about culture, history, film, food, literature and more! Languages can open up a world of options for interesting careers across a broad spectrum including:

Interpreting and translating

Journalism
Law
Marketing
Museums
Music Industry
Pharmaceuticals
Publishing
Science and Engineering
Sport
Teaching
Technology
Tourism and Hospitality

Language degrees are well-respected and employers will often favour a candidate who can speak another language over a candidate who cannot. Many degree subjects can be combined with a language so that candidates can study two or more subjects at the same time e.g. English and French, History and German, Politics and Spanish.

Trips

German Trips

Fourth Form

During February half-term, U4 get their first chance to try out their German skills in the beautiful city of Hamburg. They spend 3 days and 2 nights exploring the port, museums and city centre, including a visit to a local school and a climb to the top of the stunning Michaeliskirche with a 360-degree view of Hamburg. They will also get a chance to go swimming and ice-skating as well as buying postcards, stamps and a currywurst from the local market stalls.

Fifth Form

In the past we have had trips and exchanges to Berlin, Cologne, Linz and Schwerin giving pupils the opportunity to practise their German and find out more about some of the most vibrant and interesting cities in Germany. Some of the highlights have been the East Side Gallery on the remaining part of the Berlin Wall; the chocolate museum and cathedral in Cologne; a visit to our twin town, Koblenz, and the Deutsches Eck where the river Mosel meets the river Rhine and trying out new and delicious German cuisine.

Sixth Form

We have offered Sixth Formers trips and exchanges to Liechtenstein, Bremen, Hamburg and Berlin. Pupils have relished the chance to speak German with locals and pen-friends, explore the cities and countryside and learn more about the history and culture of these fascinating countries including trips to local parliament, excursions to the mountains and visits to places of historical interest including Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate.

French Trips

Fourth Form

We have offered many years of fourth form trips to Normandy with pupils keen to try out their new language skills and find out more about French life, gastronomy and culture. In the Michaelmas term we are looking to run a Christmas markets trip to Strasbourg and a day trip to London to learn about French graphic novels (bandes dessinées) at the Institut Français.

Fifth Form

L5 and M5 pupils have the opportunity to take a trip to Norwich’s twin city of Rouen in Normandy at the end of the Lent Term. This is a language-based study trip with pupils combining language lessons with local visits in French. Recent visits included the Joan of Arc interactive museum, a Sunday market, the Museum of Fine Art and a macaron-making workshop.

Sixth Form

Our long-running exchange programme with Lycée Maillol in Perpignan continues to be a highlight of the sixth form French course. Students travel to Perpignan around Easter in their L6 year and then welcome French exchange partners back to Norwich during October of their U6 year. This immersive experience in a warm and culturally rich part of France is an opportunity not to be missed for sixth form Francophiles.

Spanish Trips

Fourth form

For several years now, we have taken our U4 pupils to Madrid to give them a flavour of Spain, its culture and of course the paella, tapas and churros. We visit the Bernabeu, have a tour of the city getting to know the Plaza Mayor, Sol, the bull fighting ring. We spend an afternoon in the beautiful Retiro park and pupils have time to explore the old city by themselves. One day is taken up by a visit to the Warner Brothers park, which is always great fun!

Fifth form

For years, L5 and M5 pupils have been on a trip to Valencia where they spend the morning at a language school with interactive activities and they stay in 2s or 3s in host families, however last year we went to the beautiful old city of Málaga where we stayed in an apartment all together. These trips always include Spanish practice with people on the street, very interesting cultural visits, and of course eating lots of Spanish food!

Sixth form

In the past we have visited Salamanca, Sevilla, Valencia and Barcelona with our sixth form pupils. These trips will always include high level language lessons at a language school, cultural visits and a language exchange with pupils the same age. As the group is always small, we are more flexible organising our sixth form trip and it might be alternating years.

FAQs

Why should I study a Language at GCSE or A-level?

As well as being a fun and interesting subject with a variety of topics and skills, UK employers are looking for more candidates who can speak and understand other languages.

What grades do I need to study Languages at A-level?

Ideally, you would get a grade 7-9 at GCSE or IGCSE to study a language at A-level.

What extra-curricular activities are on offer in the Languages Department?