Ask a QuestionStudying Modern Languages
Should I take a foreign language at A level?
A-levels in languages are highly regarded by UK universities and are categorised as academic subjects.
On average, people who use languages in their job earn between 8% and 20% more than their colleagues.
You can see the list of languages we offer on the right of this page. Find out more about studying Modern Languages using the links below:
- Will the course be useful to me if I am already a native speaker?
- What are the teaching and facilities like at CATS College?
- What is the A level course outline?
Will the course be useful to me if I am already a native speaker?
Yes, because:
- If you already speak one of the 7 languages stated below, then it is highly recommended that you study your native language at A level - not only for your university application but also for your own interest and benefit.
- Native speakers are normally taught separately from non-native speakers as they have different needs.
- You will develop your cultural knowledge by studying history, literature and films from your own country in depth.
- You will develop your translation skills - a valuable skill for future employment.
- If you have any issues with spelling or reading, your teacher will help you overcome them.
High quality, dynamic teaching at CATS College
- Most of our teachers are native speakers, well qualified and with strong experience
- Our students achieve outstanding exam results. In 2008:
- 100% passed the course
- 70% achieved grade A
- 87% achieved grades A-B
- We offer GCSE exam preparation in 2 years from scratch
- Students benefit from exciting trips abroad
Excellent resources and facilities
If you study Modern Languages at CATS College, you can expect:
- small groups: between one to ten students maximum per class
- free, unlimited extra tuition: regular 'surgery' classes available
- classrooms with interactive whiteboards and DVD equipment
- department blog with resources and updates about cultural events
A level course outline
Students practice the same core skills and study similar topics across all languages. These are:
- listening
- speaking
- reading
- writing
What topics will I study?
All languages follow the Edexcel syllabus.
AS (A level year 1):
- Youth culture and concerns
- Education and employment
- Lifestyle: Health and fitness
- Tourism and transport
A2 (A level year 2):
- History, Arts, Literature
- Society and current issues
- The environment
- International issues
In addition, at A2, either a film, book or particular theme will be prepared during the course of the year.
What will I do during the course?
- Pair and small-group work
- Watching films/TV
- Debating contemporary issues
- Researching on the internet
- Writing essays
- Developing my understanding of grammar
- Working on translation techniques
- Interactive and on-line activities
- Developing my independent learning skills
- Vocabulary building
- Games
Can’t wait to get started?
Your tutor and career adviser will be the best people to help you decide whether this course is the right choice. They will be as passionate as you to find the best subject to develop your talents!
94% of the world’s population does not speak English as their first language.
75% do not speak English at all.
The business languages most in demand in the UK are: French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch.
English is not the official language of the U.S, actually, there aren’t any.
In fact, the number of Spanish-dominant and bilingual Latinos in the U.S will increase by 45% over the next two decades - adding 12.4 million Spanish-speakers to today's population.
French is spoken in many parts of the world, including: Canada, South America, Haiti, Africa, the Pacific and many more.
Karl Lagerfeld - German, French, English
The successful German fashion designer learned French when he was young. He studied in Paris and worked for famous French designers such as Balmain and Jean Patou before Chanel.
Natalie Portman – English, Hebrew, French, German, and Japanese and Spanish
The talented actress can speak two languages, Hebrew and English (her native languages), fluently. Also knows some conversational French, German, and Japanese and Spanish.
Maggie Cheung - Cantonese, Mandarin, Shanghainese, English, French
Maggie Cheung is famous for being a talented multi-lingual actress. In Centre Stage, she performed in Cantonese, Mandarin and Shanghainese fluently, switching languages with ease. In Clean, she performed in fluent English, French and Cantonese.
Milla Jovovich - Russian, Serbian, English, French.
Milla Jovovich is an Ukrainian-born actress, supermodel, fashion designer, singer and public figure, who has been on the cover of more than a hundred magazines, and starred in such films as The Fifth Element (1997), Ultraviolet (2006), and the 'Resident Evil' franchise. She speaks Russian, Serbian, French and English.
Diane Kruger - German, French, English
The famous German actress studied ballet with the Royal Ballet in London before an injury ended her career. She returned to Germany and became a top fashion model. She later pursued acting and relocated to Paris at the suggestion of filmmaker Luc Besson (The Fifth Element (1997)). She married French actor Guillaume Canet (The Beach (2000/I) in 2001.
Lourdes Ciccone - English, French
Madonna’s daughter speaks fluent French, her mother made sure she learnt languages other than English from a very young age.
Jacques Chirac - French, Russian, English
The former French president could talk directly in Russian with Alexander Poutine when they had meetings.
Interpreter
Translator
Languages teacher
Language trainer
Central government
Engineering
Financial services
Media
Technology
Travel and tourism
Credit controller
Journalist
Market researcher
Personal assistant
Recruitment consultant
Technical helpdesk
...and many more!
Want to study languages? Contact us for A-level advice.
Popular foreign language films
City Of God (Portuguese)
Whale Rider (Maori)
Amelie (French)
Spiritied Away (Japanese)
Life Is Beautiful (Italian)
Modern Languages excursions:
Famous Polyglots:
