Pre:Programme Modern Languages

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.

If you talk to him in his language that goes to his heart.

– Nelson Mandela

Why should I take a foreign language at Pre A level?

  • While studying at CATS College, besides improving your English, you will also make new friends from around the world and you will want to understand their language and culture.
  • You will make your university application more attractive and you will increase your employment and salaries prospects.
  • Foreign Languages are highly regarded by employers. On average, students who possess foreign language skills earn up to 20% higher salaries than those who do not.
  • It is always best to start learning new languages as young as possible, the more languages you learn, the easier it gets.

We offer Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish. Find out more about learning a new language using the links below:

» Will the course be suitable for me if I do not speak the language at all?

Yes, because:

  • Courses are designed in a way which allows you to start the course as a complete beginner.
  • You will receive a lot of help and guidance from the start.
  • You will quickly be able to speak and understand simple language.
  • Most of our students progress so fast that most of them take the GCSE exam at the end of the year-(this exam is normally taken after 5 years in other schools).
  • Flexible exam dates: If you wish to take the GCSE language exam at the end of the first year, you will be tested for speaking and writing by your teacher only when you will feel ready-at a date agreed on by you both.

» What are the teaching and facilities like at CATS College?

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 2010:
    • 100% passed the course
    • 70% achieved grade A
    • 87% achieved grades A-B

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

» What is the Pre A level course outline?

Students practice the same core skills and study similar topics across all languages. These are:

  • listening
  • speaking-controlled assessment*
  • reading
  • writing-controlled assessment*
*controlled assessment means that it is not an end of year exam, but a test written when you feel ready and can perform to the best of your ability.

What will I learn?

You will learn how to talk about:

  • Yourself
  • Hobbies
  • Where you live
  • Shopping
  • College
  • Work
  • Holidays
  • Health
  • The environment
All languages follow the Edexcel syllabus. 

What will I do during lessons?

  • Pair and small-group work
  • Watching films/TV
  • Writing essays
  • Developing my understanding of grammar
  • Interactive and on-line activities
  • Vocabulary building
  • Games
  • Songs
  • Cartoons making


"I am the kind of person who wants to be able to do everything. Aside from music, I particularly wanted to learn French. It turned out to be my best subject. I almost aced French."
- Lewis Hamilton
Former language student at CATS College Cambridge.