Welcome to St Paul’s
Modern Languages
‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to
his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.’
‒ Nelson Mandela
S1- French – Useful resources here
The S1 Modern Languages course aim to build a foundation in French focusing on basic communication skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while also developing cultural awareness. The curriculum covers topics such as Self and Family, Sport and Free Time, School and Town.
S2 – French & Spanish – Useful resources here
In S2 Modern Languages pupils are learning both French (2 periods) and Spanish (1 period). In French pupils study the topics of holidays, Paris and learn about food after Christmas. In Spanish pupils are introduced to basic vocabulary as they are new to the language. The aim in languages is to learn how to converse and understand the language as well as learning about the culture in other countries.
S3 – French & Spanish – Useful resources here
In S3 pupils have the opportunity to study two modern languages; one before Christmas and the other language after Christmas. In both languages, pupils are looking at the cultural aspect of the language as well as developing their skills to be able to understand and use French and Spanish. The S3 course leads to further opportunities to study languages in S4 at different levels in French and Spanish. The French course includes a Media Unit on the film ‘Les Choristes’. In Spanish, pupils develop their cultural awareness by learning about food and the mediterranean lifestyles. They also learn to develop their Employability skills in both languages.
National 4/5 – French & Spanish – Useful resources here
National 4 and National 5 develop literacy skills by giving learners opportunities to read, listen, talk and write in a modern language and to reflect on how this relates to English. These courses enable learners to understand and use the modern language, to apply their knowledge in real life contexts including that of Employability and current teenage issues such as Media.
Higher – French & Spanish – Useful resources here
Higher Languages is explored through the four contexts of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture. Learners develop skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work. The development of subject-specific and generic skills is central to Higher. The transferrable skills developed will help learners progress to further study or the world of work.
The Higher course builds on the language learned previously and extends this into giving opinions on more mature issues. Learners study a wide range of topics including teenage problems, the impact of the digital age, career path and taking a gap year. The Higher languages is also a passport to continuing your language on into university level where you can combine languages with Business Studies, Law and Tourism.
