French
Britain needs executives, managers, lawyers, IT specialists and other professionals with the language skills to make the most of the opportunities provided by the expanding European Union and the global economy. The study of French provides an insight into another culture, broadens horizons and deepens the learner’s understanding of their own mother tongue.

At The Purbeck School, we use up-to-date, engaging, interactive language websites to help equip the professionals of tomorrow with the linguistic skills that will enable them to compete successfully in Europe and beyond.

At Key Stage 3 all students build upon their prior language learning by following the exciting new CLIC course which is fully differentiated and offers alternative pathways from Year 7 to manage the transition from primary school.

Students will learn to communicate in a number of everyday situations, understanding and using a range of grammatical structures. As well as improving their speaking and comprehension skills, the course includes an introduction to aspects of French culture and enables students to continue language learning at GCSE level and beyond.

The GCSE course sees students continue to develop their proficiency in French. They follow the exciting new AQA syllabus. Reading and Listening papers will each be worth 20% of the overall grade, while Speaking and Writing (30% each) will be assessed by two oral dialogues and two extended writing pieces respectively. The new syllabus allows greater freedom in choosing topics and expressing personal interests and opinions for these assignments.

At A Level students really get the opportunity to develop their fluency, studying more ambitious areas such as media, the environment, social issues and cultural topics, becoming more fluent in the process.

Alongside study clubs which give students further opportunities to practise using their newly acquired language, students have access to a Foreign Language Assistant. Their expertise brings the language alive for learners and makes language teaching and learning real, providing first-hand cultural knowledge to our students.

However the best way to improve language skills is to visit a francophone country! Foreign language trips are offered to both lower school and sixth form groups. The past few years have seen students from The Purbeck School visit Conches-en-Ouche on the school exchange while sixth formers have enjoyed the splendours of Nice.

German
Britain needs executives, managers, lawyers, IT specialists with the language skills to make the most of the opportunities provided by the expanding European Union and the global economy. The study of German provides an insight into another culture, broadens horizons and deepens the learner’s understanding of their own mother tongue.

At The Purbeck School, we aim to equip the professionals of tomorrow with the linguistic skills that will enable them to compete successfully in Europe and beyond.

At Key Stage 3 the majority of students build upon their prior language learning by studying German as a second Modern Foreign Language.  During the beginners’ level course, students will learn to communicate in a number of everyday situations, understanding and using a range of grammatical structures. As well as improving their speaking and comprehension skills, the course includes an introduction to some aspects of German culture. The key stage three course provides a thorough introduction and allows the students to continue to study at GCSE level and beyond.

The GCSE course sees students continue to develop their proficiency in German. They follow the exciting new AQA syllabus. Reading and Listening papers will each be worth 20% of the overall grade, while Speaking and Writing (30% each) will be assessed by two oral dialogues and two extended writing pieces respectively. The new syllabus allows greater freedom in choosing topics and expressing personal interests and opinions for these assignments.

At A Level students really get the opportunity to develop their fluency studying more ambitious areas such as media, the environment, social Issues and cultural topics, becoming more fluent in the process.

Study clubs are run in order for the students to gain further opportunities to practice using their newly acquired language. These are particularly beneficial as students approach their speaking examinations.  However the best way to improve their language use is to visit the country and speak to the natives! Foreign language trips are offered to both lower school and sixth form groups. The past few years have seen students from The Purbeck School visit Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Salzburg and there are plans to resurrect the school exchange programme with Wareham’s twin town in Germany- Hemsbach.

Spanish
In September 2013 we are delighted to offer Spanish for the first time. The course combines a strong focus upon language acquisition with the development of a comprehensive understanding of Spanish customs and culture.

The students will follow a lively and colourful course which combines accessibility for the beginner with academic challenge for the more able learner. Topics covered initially include names, greetings, days of the week, spelling, ICT, describing size and colouring, means of transport, talking about home and daily routines. Grammar such as the present tense of common verbs and adjectival agreement are taught.

Later in the programme students will cover more complex topics such as introducing themselves, buying and consuming food and drink, healthy eating, tourism, holidays, excursions, discussing films, sports, and describing such experiences in the past. The grammatical syllabus includes extension knowledge of the present tense plus the use of past tenses and the near future tense.

As with our other modern foreign language courses, we will aim to offer a key stage three trip to Spain so that pupils can experience Spanish culture at first hand and practise their skills.

Classic Languages

Latin
Excitingly, this subject will be available for the first time in September 2013. Initially this will be open to Year 9 students as part of a free option where students will be able to make the choice to extend their learning.

Students will learn about Latin and Classical Civilisation and develop linguistic skills and vocabulary to provide a sound basis for GCSE.  Students will examine Roman civilisation and their studies include life in Roman Pompeii, Alexandria and Britain and research into the Roman army, Roman entertainment and other aspects of Roman social and political life. The course aims to promote an understanding of how much we have inherited from the world of Rome and of the differences and similarities between our two cultures and languages.