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
At Diss High we place a high emphasis upon Languages and the international dimension of the curriculum. We promote language learning at all ages and levels so that our students can communicate in the global society in which we live, and have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the range of cultures in the world today.
The intent of the Languages Curriculum at Diss High School
The Languages curriculum at Diss High School has been created with the intention of developing cultural awareness and understanding, alongside enabling students to communicate successfully in French and/or Spanish. Our curriculum provides students with the opportunity to learn and use French and/or Spanish in practical situations, to discover the culture and customs of Francophone and/or Hispanic countries, and to encourage a positive attitude to foreign language learning.
Languages lessons promote communication skills and support and reinforce students’ learning in other areas of the curriculum, including literacy.
The Languages department at Diss High School works collaboratively across all year groups to produce and deliver consistent lessons to all students. We share and incorporate learning strategies into our teaching.
In Year 7 all students learn Spanish. Subsequently in Year 8, over half of the cohort begin French lessons alongside their Spanish lessons, whilst the remainder of the year group continue with Spanish alone. As a department, we feel that some students benefit from the challenge of two languages, while others will enjoy and succeed through maintaining their focus on one language. This decision is not determined by ability, but by the circumstances of the individual students concerned. We believe all students should have the opportunity to learn a language and to have a sense of achievement while doing so.
The implementation of the Languages Curriculum at Diss High School
We have created a Key Stage 3 curriculum based on the methods of Steve Smith and Gianfranco Conti. This allows for reinforcement of, and interleaving with, previous teaching. We use the Dynamo textbooks for French and the Viva textbooks for Spanish to provide listening material and vocabulary. However, the majority of our resources are produced by staff and are used consistently across the department. This provides tailored support and challenge for the needs of our students.
Students are taught in mixed ability groups across Key Stage 3. Students are assessed in the four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) throughout the topic being taught. This allows for a cumulative picture of their progress. The assessments are designed using the textbook assessments as a basis but are adapted to give staff the clearest picture of their students’ progress.
Key Stage 3 Spanish & French Overview
| Autumn H/T 1 | Autumn H/T 2 | Spring H/T 1 | Spring H/T 2 | Summer | |
| Y7 Spanish | Mi Vida | Mi Tiempo Libre | Mi insti | Mi familia y mis amigos | Mi Ciudad |
| Personal details including name, age, birthday, character, siblings and pets | Activities and sports, weather and time phrases | Subjects, opinions, facilities, breaktime activities | Family members, physical descriptions | Places in the town, time, activities in the town, in the café, future activities | |
| Y8 Spanish | De Vacaciones | Todo sobre mi vida | A Comer | ||
| Activities, countries, transport, opinions and weather - past tense | Using mobile phones, music, TV | Food, mealtimes, in the restaurant, parties | |||
| Y9 Spanish | ¿Qué hacemos? | Oriéntate | En Forma | ||
| Arranging to go out, excuses, clothes, sporting events | Jobs, tasks at work, characteristics, typical work day | Diet, active lifestyle, getting fit, illnesses and ailments | |||
| Y8 French | Mon Collège | Ma Famille | Mon Temps Libre | ||
| Numbers, subjects, opinions and reasons, uniform, times | Family members, physical descriptions, personality, animals | Leisure activities, sports, weather, future tense | |||
| Y9 French | Vive les Vacances | En Ville | La Vie Quotidienne | ||
| Activities, countries, transport, opinions and weather - past tense | Places in the town, time, activities in the town, in the café | Daily routine, Celebrity profiles, TV/Fim review | |||
The impact of the Languages Curriculum at Diss High School
It is expected that the majority of students at Diss High School will continue their language studies at Key Stage 4. To this effect, by the end of Key Stage 3, students will have developed their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, which will allow them to access and enjoy the challenge of GCSE.
For those students who have taken two languages at Key Stage 3, exposure to more than one language will give them the best and most informed choice about which language to pursue at GCSE and potentially beyond. Those who have developed a real love of and flair in language learning are encouraged to continue with both languages at GCSE.
Those students who studied only Spanish at Key Stage 3 will have received a more immersive experience of learning the language, which will have given them ample opportunity to revisit and build on learning from earlier stages in the curriculum. This allows all students, whether single or dual linguists, to confidently begin the GCSE course.
How can I help my child?
- Encourage your child to complete all homework tasks to the best of their ability
- Ask your child about their learning and let them teach you what they have learnt
- Encourage and help your child to complete an appropriate amount of revision for assessments
- Encourage a “little and often” approach when learning new vocabulary and to re-visit previously taught language
Useful Websites:
Careers
Studying Languages allows you to explore different cultures and understand diversity and tolerance. It provides the receptive and productive skills for communication in many areas of work, including translating, interpreting, teaching, travel and tourism.
KS4
The study of languages is compulsory for the vast majority of students at GCSE level and pupils will sit exams in Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing at the end of Year 11 to gain their grade in French or Spanish at this level. We strive to provide innovative language teaching and are proud of the results that our students achieve.