Languages
Teaching Staff
Curriculum
KS3
YEAR 8
All students in Year 8 study French. The topics are:
YEAR 9
All students in Year 9 study French. The topics are:
YEAR 10
All students study French. The topics are:
Spanish & Irish
Spanish and Irish were introduced to our Year 8 students in 2017. We are giving them a ‘flavour’ of both languages and have started with Spanish. They are really enjoying learning such a beautiful language and have made great progress already. Andamos! Later in the year they will be introduced to Irish and we are confident that they will enjoy learning this rich language just as much. Maith sibh!
GCSE We are delighted with the uptake in French to GCSE level in Sperrin College. In recent years we have seen the largest number of students studying GCSE French in the school’s history.
French GCSE (CCEA)
Unit 1: Listening - 25%
Unit 2: Speaking - 25%
Unit 3: Reading - 25%
Unit 4: Writing - 25%
Extra-Curricular Activities
In the Languages Department in Sperrin College we strive to promote the learning of other languages and to celebrate the diversity of cultural backgrounds of our students. We are always keen to encourage students to derive enjoyment from language learning and to be inspired by following an interesting and challenging course of study.
Ulster Scots Agency
We are delighted to welcome the Ulster Scots Agency to Sperrin annually. They deliver Ulster Scots language workshops to our Year 8 students in December teaching us some songs and dances and perform some living history.
Gaeltacht
In 2016 we piloted sending some students to the Gaeltacht in Teelin, Co. Donegal for a week’s language and activities course. They had a fantastic experience and made many new friends. We have continued to promote this experience since.
European Day of Languages
European Day of Languages is celebrated each September in Sperrin. All our Year 8 students enjoy a delicious French Breakfast in our Refectory. They enjoy ‘chocolat chaud’, ‘croissants’ and ‘pains au chocolat’ just like a traditional French family breakfast! C’était délicieux!
Newcomer students
Newcomer students are encouraged and supported to continue developing their knowledge of and skills in their own language/native language. Students are encouraged to sit a GCSE/A level qualification in their own language as soon as they are ready to do so under the guidance of Mrs A Reilly. Students receive individual and/or small group support lessons to achieve this goal.
- Mrs A Landers, BA(QUB), BA(OU), Cert Ed., PGCE (Head of Languages)
- Mrs K O’Neill, BA, PGCE, DASE
- Mrs A Reilly
Curriculum
KS3
YEAR 8
All students in Year 8 study French. The topics are:
- Greetings/Introductions
- Numbers/Dates/Birthdays
- In the Classroom
- Family/Pets
- Your home/Bedroom
- Where you live
- Telling the time
- In the town/Asking for directions
- Ordering snacks/Giving opinions
YEAR 9
All students in Year 9 study French. The topics are:
- Daily Routine
- At School/Giving opinions
- Hobbies/Leisure/Sports
- Going on Holiday/Weather
- Family/Jobs/Where people live
- At the weekend(+ past tense)
- TV
YEAR 10
All students study French. The topics are:
- Shopping for Clothes/Going out in town
- Food and Drink/Parties
- Travelling abroad/Talking about a holiday
- Talking about your friends
- Pocket Money
- Future plans and dreams
Spanish & Irish
Spanish and Irish were introduced to our Year 8 students in 2017. We are giving them a ‘flavour’ of both languages and have started with Spanish. They are really enjoying learning such a beautiful language and have made great progress already. Andamos! Later in the year they will be introduced to Irish and we are confident that they will enjoy learning this rich language just as much. Maith sibh!
GCSE We are delighted with the uptake in French to GCSE level in Sperrin College. In recent years we have seen the largest number of students studying GCSE French in the school’s history.
French GCSE (CCEA)
Unit 1: Listening - 25%
Unit 2: Speaking - 25%
Unit 3: Reading - 25%
Unit 4: Writing - 25%
Extra-Curricular Activities
In the Languages Department in Sperrin College we strive to promote the learning of other languages and to celebrate the diversity of cultural backgrounds of our students. We are always keen to encourage students to derive enjoyment from language learning and to be inspired by following an interesting and challenging course of study.
Ulster Scots Agency
We are delighted to welcome the Ulster Scots Agency to Sperrin annually. They deliver Ulster Scots language workshops to our Year 8 students in December teaching us some songs and dances and perform some living history.
Gaeltacht
In 2016 we piloted sending some students to the Gaeltacht in Teelin, Co. Donegal for a week’s language and activities course. They had a fantastic experience and made many new friends. We have continued to promote this experience since.
European Day of Languages
European Day of Languages is celebrated each September in Sperrin. All our Year 8 students enjoy a delicious French Breakfast in our Refectory. They enjoy ‘chocolat chaud’, ‘croissants’ and ‘pains au chocolat’ just like a traditional French family breakfast! C’était délicieux!
Newcomer students
Newcomer students are encouraged and supported to continue developing their knowledge of and skills in their own language/native language. Students are encouraged to sit a GCSE/A level qualification in their own language as soon as they are ready to do so under the guidance of Mrs A Reilly. Students receive individual and/or small group support lessons to achieve this goal.
