holiday plans. Pupils learn initially through games and interactive activities, varying between whole class and pair and group work. Pupils learn important language skills such telling the time and using a bilingual dictionary. Speaking is a major focus and paying particular attention to expressing opinions is the cornerstone of their learning at this stage. Year 8 In Year 8 pupils begin to talk in the past tense and narrate tales of their weekend and their holiday. Their language becomes more complex as they develop longer sentences and paragraphs and are able to talk more confidently. Pupils begin exciting projects about fashion, shopping, and their home life and are progressively able to work more independently. Year 9 In Year 9 pupils study learn to talk and write in detail on topics such as Home town, TV, Film and Cinema, Relationships and School. At this stage, pupils are able to work more independently by adapting language and using more complex sentences and also other tenses.KS4 Year 10 & 11 Options (3 hours per week) Pupils can opt for GCSE French or Spanish or both and follow the AQA full course. Pupils are assessed in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The speaking and writing is assessed through coursework and worth 30% each. Pupils are required to do 2 pieces of speaking and 2 of writing. The listening and reading involves a short exam at the end of the two year course and each are worth 20% each. Pupils study topics relevant to their life and include Relationships, Hobbies, and Holidays, Healthy Lifestyles, Environment, Home life, School, Jobs, Pocket Money, Shopping and Future Plans. Although pupils are able to work with greater independence at this stage, the interesting and varied activities and sharp pace are maintained to enable the very best learning outcomes for the pupils. Exam Boards AQA GCSE Exam/Coursework Dates Year 10 controlled speaking and writing as applicable, usually – November, February, June Year 11controlled speaking and writing as applicable, usually – October, December, March Year 11 examination in Reading and Listening – June