Year 9

Language College 

 

Year 9

A range of topics are covered in year 9, including 'around the town', 'food and drink' and 'holidays'. The focus at this stage of Key Stage 3 is to help the student to become more expressive in their foreign language by using their previous knowledge of vocabulary and starting to string sentences together. In year 9 more tenses are taught, which allows the student to refer to future plans and past events within the context of the topic. Assessments will be given at the end of every unit in the book and the student should expect regular vocabulary tests to check their continued learning.

National Curriculum levels are still used at this point and most year 9s will be aiming to achieve a level 5 , 6 or 7 in their assessments by the end of the year. The assessments we use will cover the 4 skills that are needed in language learning; speaking, listening, reading and writing. In year 9 students’ tasks may vary in order to allow them to develop their personal strengths. This will help the Dual Linguists to decide which language to study as one of their GCSE options at the end of the year. As the year ends the student will be asked to reflect upon this question. Pupils who wish to do two languages will do so in two option slots from this year, as pressure from the new syllabus gives us less flexibility in class time. Most of the assessments are now done during the two year course in KS4, instead of at the end during study leave.

Every year, the year 9 students will be given the opportunity to go on either a residential trip to Spain or a French or German Exchange visit. Each student who goes on the exchange will be paired up with a student from our partner school in France/Germany according to common interests, gender and age. The French Exchange partner will then stay at the Swavesey Village College student's home for two weeks at the beginning of the academic year. Day visits for all the students will be arranged by the school and for one day, they will attend Swavesey Village College. A similar trip will take place for the Swavesey Village College student when they will travel to France/Germany to stay with their partner. The exchange has been very successful in the past and provides the student with an invaluable and unique foreign experience.

Homework Policy - students are given one learning piece each week and either awritten homework or one extended creative project every Half Term.