Modern Languages

Staff

Mrs A.M. Corry – Head of Modern Languages

Mrs S. Quinn

Mr B. McKinless

Aims of the Department

The Language Department at St. Joseph’s College provides a vibrant and supportive environment where students can develop their skills in language learning. We aim to:

Inspire students to develop the skills and capabilities needed to express themselves confidently in French and/or Irish.

Empower language learners to reach their full potential by providing high quality, engaging lessons that build students’ capabilities in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Ensure opportunities for all learners by offering differentiated support, resources and pathways to success.

Design activities that encourage creativity, critical thinking and the confidence to use languages in real world situations.

Offer a range of enrichment opportunities, such as European Day of Languages, Seachtain na Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and local language events.

Curriculum Overview

Key Stage 3

Pupils explore a broad and engaging curriculum, developing their four key skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through a wide variety of topics.

KS3 Irish

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Greetings.

Useful phrases in the classroom.

Days, months, seasons, numbers.

School – classroom objects and commands.

Myself – name, age, where you live, colours, pets, adjectives.

Likes and dislikes.

Revision of ‘Mé féin.’

My family – personal numbers and family members.

Describing others – describing a boy and girl.

The time.

School life – subjects, timetable, activities, likes and dislikes, giving reasons why.

Sport and hobbies.

Revison of ‘Mé féin agus mo theaghlach.’

Daily routine – focus on verbs and how to form past tense and describe their daily routine using verbs.

The house and local area – types of house, rooms, describe local area and facilities.

Weather.

Holidays.

KS3 French

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Greetings.

Useful phrases in the classroom.

Days, months, seasons, numbers, writing the date.

School: classroom objects, school subjects, likes and dislikes, classroom commands, prepositions.

Myself: name, age, birthday, adjectives, where you live, nationality.

Pets.

Family members.

Revision of myself.

My family: family members, oldest/youngest etc.

Extension of adjectives and describing others: masculine and feminine.

School life: revision of subjects, timetable, the school day, activities, likes and dislikes, giving reasons why.

Time.

My daily routine.

Weather.

Revision and extension of myself, my family and descriptions.

Hobbies and interests.

The house and housework: rooms, description, types of houses, household chores.

My local area: types of area, facilities/features, places in town.

Health and parts of the body.

Food.

Key Stage 4

At KS4, pupils follow the CCEA GCSE French and/or Irish specification.

CCEA GCSE French / Irish

Subject:

GCSE French/Irish

Levels achievable:

Grades A*-G

Contexts:

Identity, lifestyle and culture.

Local, national, international and global areas of interest.

School life, studies and the world of work.

HOW YOU ARE ASSESSED:

Three external examinations (Listening, Reading, Writing = 75%)

One speaking examination (25%)

Examinations:

One listening test (25%).

(Foundation/ Higher tier.)

One reading test (25%).

(Foundation/ Higher tier.)

One writing test (25%)

(Foundation/ Higher tier.)

One speaking test (25%)

(One tier of entry)

Oral examination:

Teacher facilitated and externally marked (25%).

One tier of entry.

Exam lasts 7-12 minutes with 10 minutes supervised preparation time.

Two role-plays.

Conversation from two different topics (one topic pre-released, prescribed by CCEA).