Why study a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE? (Year 9)

This is one of three lesson plans designed for Year 9 Modern Foreign Languages teachers:

• Jobs that use a Modern Foreign Language (Year 9)
• Skills you learn from a Modern Foreign Language (Year 9)
• Why study a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE? (Year 9)

These lesson plans will help you show students how learning a language connects to their future careers.

We recommend using this lesson plan at the beginning of the spring term, as students approach their GCSE choices. It builds on the two earlier lesson plans and draws them together to help students make an informed decision.

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Learning objectives

• Students will understand what studying a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE involves.
• Students will recognise the transferable skills a language builds.
• Students will see how a language connects to a wide range of careers.
• Students will be able to weigh whether the language they're studying is the right one to continue with at GCSE.

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Before the lesson

• You will need a computer connected to the internet and a classroom screen.
• Open the What can you do with a Modern Foreign Language? page and have it ready on the screen.
• Review the page in full so you know what's in each section.
• Be ready to describe your school's GCSE syllabus for the language you teach, and which other languages your school offers at GCSE.

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During the lesson

1. Recap: jobs and skills (5 mins)

• Ask students to recall what they learned from the earlier lesson activities:
  • What jobs use a modern foreign language?
  • What skills does a language build?
• Write their answers on the board as a quick recap.

2. Walking through the page (15 mins)

• Bring up the What can you do with a Modern Foreign Language? page on the classroom screen.
• Show students the table of contents so they see the shape of what's on the page.
• Walk through the key sections together, unpacking why each one matters for their GCSE decision:
  • Modern Foreign Languages at GCSE - What the course covers and how it's structured around the four skills.
  • Subjects that pair with a Modern Foreign Language - Which other GCSE choices work well alongside a language.
  • Where a Modern Foreign Language can take you next - How GCSE leads into A-Level and beyond.
• Briefly outline your school or college's GCSE syllabus, exam board, and assessment methods, and remind students which other languages your school offers at GCSE.

3. Is this the right language for you? (10 mins)

• Most students will take a language at GCSE for the EBacc. The question is which one. Ask students to think about whether the language they're currently studying is the one to continue with.
• Prompt them with questions:
  • Do you enjoy studying this language enough to spend two more years on it?
  • Are the careers and routes that languages open up ones that interest you?
  • If your school offers more than one language at GCSE, is this the one you connect with most - or would another suit you better?
  • Does this language pair well with the other GCSE subjects you're considering?
• Close by reminding students to choose subjects they enjoy. Interest and engagement are what lead to good results, and good results open doors.

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After the lesson

• Share the What can you do with a Modern Foreign Language? page with students and their parents/carers:
  • www.coffeewith.xyz/subjects/what-can-you-do-with-modern-foreign-languages
• Encourage parents/carers to explore the page with their child and to discuss the contents.
• Encourage parents/carers to also explore related videos and careers with their child.
• Use the School Tools / Activities feature to record the lesson activity:
  • Activity name: Year 09 - Why study a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE?
  • Activity type: Linking curriculum learning to careers