Institution: King Edward and Queen Mary School

Context
King Edward VII and Queen Mary School (KEQMS) is an independent co-educational day school in Lytham St. Annes, near Blackpool, Lancashire, accepting a wide range of pupils from 2 to 18 years. The school occupies a superb site with extensive playing fields, overlooking the Irish Sea. Its commitment to small class sizes and the development of the individual is at the centre of everything they do. Students only achieve their full potential if they are understood, encouraged and inspired to stretch themselves as individuals. By identifying and focusing upon each student’s development, we ensure they achieve their very best in whatever direction their talents take them. We aim to inspire students to become well-rounded young people who have the confidence and skills to go on achieving in the wider world.

All students have to study a language at KS4 at KEQMS but GCSE is not appropriate for all students. There are two GCSE German groups and one French group. Previously all students learnt French for 3 years and German for 2 years. None of the group identified for FCSE did particularly well in languages as they were not well-motivated and found language learning unenjoyable and difficult. It was decided that as these students would not reach a C grade at GCSE but would find ELC too easy, the new FCSE course would be ideal. Some would carry on with French while others would start Spanish.

Key objective

• The aim is for all to achieve at least a Merit in this course.
  

How the programme is organised

• In 2006 a group of 20 student were identified as reluctant language learners who had limited ability in language learning.
• Prior learning was 3 years of French and 2 years of German.
• FCSE is offered in French or Spanish (ab initio).
• The new FCSE course was chosen as an ideal alternative to the more demanding GCSE course.
• The main difference between teaching GCSE and FCSE is the slower pace. The modular content of the FCSE suits demotivated pupils very well. Smaller and more manageable chunks of language are introduced which can be practised each week and then built on culminating in assignment at the end of the unit. The syllabus is easy to follow.
• As the AQA course has only just started there is not much assessment material available.  However to start with, pupils learnt how to introduce themselves, say something about their families and express their likes and dislikes etc. They learnt a little each week and then put it all together for the speaking assessment.
• Pupils attempt assignments when a topic has been covered, at different stages in the course, and can re-take if required.
• The reading and writing assessments are simple for the teacher to organise and students do the listening in the language lab. The speaking is more difficult as another adult/member of staff is needed to help with supervision especially if the group is large.

Results/effect

• It is too early to assess results globally, but so far all students have completed the same assignments with varying degrees of success. It is anticipated that there will be an impact on language results as FCSE will be studied by all students who will struggle to reach Grade C at GCSE.
• Students are much better motivated – they do not have as much to learn all at once and are coping very well.
• The course has been favourably received by the students which is made up largely of teenage boys with low confidence. They are more positive about learning a language and feel that they can achieve something. They appreciate having to do less writing! Because of all of these factors there are fewer disruptions and in fact the students compete to see how many distinctions they can get!
• The lessons are more worth-while and enjoyable for the teacher as they can see progress being made.
• 'Fewer behaviour problems and fewer disruptions.'
  

Resources

• Materials from Metro Vert 4, Rendez-vous and the Spanish course Amigos, already in use in the school, have been adapted and extended to support the teaching of this group and prepare students for assessment.
• Practice assessment is available from AQA.
• The Language Laboratory has been used to practise listening and speaking.

Future developments

• FCSE will be offered in Year 10 in French, Spanish and German next year.
• Various possibilities are being looked at for Year 11, with a strong possibility of taking German at FCSE level.
• Students may even do  FCSE in two languages.

Author: Mary Winterflood, King Edward and Queen Mary School