AS/A2 LEVELS
MODERN LANGUAGES FRENCH/GERMAN/ SPANISH/ITALIAN
Why study a Modern Language? As Europe becomes more closely integrated and the need for international collaboration increases, there has never been a more worthwhile time to improve your language skills. You may wish to continue your study of a language for purposes of leisure, for your career or because you wish to study it at university. Whatever the reason, the AS course will provide you with the confidence, vocabulary, cultural and grammatical knowledge to communicate meaningfully, both in written and spoken form. Progressing to an A2 qualification will equip you to embark upon a language degree or will provide you with valued, advanced language skills to cope in the world of work.
What do I study? Over the two years of study, you will develop many new language skills. You will learn how to express your opinions, write target- language responses to a range of questions based on current issues and cultural topic areas and sustain conversation on a range of AS and A2 social and cultural topics, to mention but a few.
You will also learn to apply and manipulate grammatical structures at a higher level, to use more sophisticated vocabulary and to understand and develop idioms of the language. There will also be opportunities for developing personal links with students abroad through trips, exchanges, letters and e-mails.
When you enrol on to an A-level language course, you will develop the essential skills relating to language learning at the required level. Throughout the year, you will be provided with many opportunities to practice AS-style questions so that you are able to improve examination technique.
The external examinations consist of four units, two taken at the end of the first year and two at the end of the second year. There will be opportunities to re-sit AS units in January and May of the second year:
Unit 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (May of year 1)
Unit 2: Speaking (discussion based on AS topic areas) (May of year 1)
41
Unit 3: Listening, Reading and Writing (June of year 2)
Unit 4: Speaking (discussion based on one A2 topic area and two 2 cultural topics) (May of year 2)
Where does Modern Languages take me? All universities now offer pure language degrees and/or combined courses with Languages, more and more with a career implication, e.g. Accountancy, Business, Law, and Engineering. For AS and A2 students there are career outlets in business and secretarial fields, but there is a need for language skills in Tourism, Journalism, Industry and Education. Greater fluency in a foreign language is, for many employers, a much sought-after skill.
What do I need? You will need a grade B at GCSE in your chosen language. You should be willing to participate orally in class and also in trips or exchanges organised for the language you are studying.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Why study Photography? Students choose to study Photography because they are interested in image making and they want to explore Photography as a creative medium.
Through mainly practical projects you can explore photography as a key art form of the 20th and 21st Centuries.
The course encourages looking at other photographers’ and artists’ work in order to influence your own ideas and practice. You will enjoy learning to use a single lens reflex camera, process your own film, make your own photographic prints and experiment with materials.
Within coursework projects you have the opportunity to explore personal imagery and express yourself.
The AS course does not have a Digital Photography element but there is an option for this at A2.
What do I study? Year 1 (AS) Unit 1: Coursework Students will explore one or more themes, exploring two dimensional visual language (shape, pattern, texture, tone, form etc), research relevant photographers’ work to inform their own practice and experiment widely with photographic means of transforming images.
Unit 2: Externally Set Project A practical examination project with a theme set by the Exam Board.
Research and analysis of other photographers’ and artists’ work will be integrated into all units.
Year 2 (A2) Unit 3: Coursework This is a major unit of coursework where students need to respond at a significantly higher level than in the first year. Students will thoroughly research a topic of personal interest which will lead to practical project work, through experimenting with image design and photographic materials.
Unit 4: The practical exam unit involves a theme set by the Exam Board, in the form of a major project.
Where does Photography take me? Photography is a valid choice in combination with any other A-level for nearly all university degree courses. A-level Photography is particularly useful if you wish to study Photography, Film, Video Production, Graphic Design, Fine Art or Media at HND/Degree or for those wishing to do an Art Foundation course first. Some students have found employment directly as a Photographer’s Assistant or an Editorial Assistant on a magazine.
What do I need? You need a desire to explore the world around you photographically and a wish to use photography as an art form. Students should have achieved grade C or above in GCSE English and Art & Design. You will also need to be well organised and be able to work on your own initiative.
PALMER’S COLLEGE PROSPECTUS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76