Modern Foreign Languages
The Modern Languages Faculty is currently offering the teaching and discovery of three European Languages and also is working in partnership with local universities to offer cultural and linguistic discovery half days for other non -European languages, such as Chinese. The European Languages currently studied are French, German and Spanish. The study of a foreign language involves a lot of work on communicating effectively, grammar and spellings and supports the students in developing an understanding of their own language.
The teaching and learning of the cultural aspects of the three main European languages is strongly embedded in the Curriculum from Year 7 to Year 13 and is supports students well in understanding the culture of their target language. Lessons offer a variety of activities, aimed at developing the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students have opportunities to work independently, in pairs and in small groups under the guidance of their teachers.
Many students decide to continue the study of their language into GCSE and express an interest in careers and job opportunities where they will be able to use their languages skills.
| Staff | Position |
|---|---|
| Miss Meunier | Curriculum Leader |
| Mrs Marshall | Teacher |
| Miss McConnell | Teacher |
| Miss Armstrong | Teacher |
Key Stage 3
|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
|
Personality, talking about myself and family, my friends. Life at school Free time and hobbies Focus on verbs, developing and giving extended opinions in the present tense |
My social life, interests in social media, music and going out with other friends and family. Clothes, style, lifestyle Visiting a city in either France/ Germany/ Spain Life at home New time frames : past tense and near future tenses |
Additional resources to support learning in Key Stage 3 MFL
Encourage your child to:
· Access the given vocabulary booklets
· Revise vocabulary items and verb conjugations weekly to support learning in class
· Use of applications/ social media to support learning ( Memrize/ Duo Lingo/ other appropriate social media tools such as Twitter and youtube for resources in the target language
· Complete homework as directed.
· Work independently and research cultural aspects of the country of their target language.
· Buy their own dictionaries ( for home work, dictionaries are available in classrooms )
A range of resources can also be found on
The BBC websites, bbc.co.uk/languages
The British Council.
Key Stage 4
Course content:
|
Theme 1 |
Theme 2 |
Theme 3 |
|
Identity and culture. Sub topics : friendships, relationships, family and relationships, a role model, going out |
Local, national, international and global areas of interest Sub topics : Towns, cities, local environment and discovery of live in foreign cities, the environment and protection of the planet, travelling and holidays abroad or at home |
Current and future study and employment. Life at school, plans for the future, work experience, applying for jobs, voluntary work |
Assessment:
Tiered examination entries ( Higher or Foundation )
Four papers :
Paper 1 : listening ( 25% )
Paper 2 : speaking ( 25 %)
Paper 3 : Reading ( 25 % )
Paper 4 : Writing ( 25 %)
Linear examinations with AQA.
Encourage your son / daughter to:
Buy their own dictionary
Review vocabulary and grammar weekly
Use relevant applications and social media to support learning
Access the textbook electronically from home to review tasks
Additional resources to support learning in GCSE MFL
We also recommend the purchase of revision guides through the school to further assist students’ work outside the classroom.
Where required, passwords have been provided to students directly. For further support please contact the school.
Sixth Form Courses
A Level
Aims of the course:
To continue building up knowledge of the language and culture of the target language
To develop a thorough understanding of the language and of the citizens of the target language country
To develop an understanding of life in the target language country/ to enthuse students for a potential future career, life in a foreign country
To develop an understanding of political issues in the target language country
Assessment:
100 % linear, no coursework, no controlled assessment
All skills are assessed at the end of the course, including the study of a chosen novel/ book in French/ German/ Spanish
The course comprises: for the three languages
Modules of study of the language and its grammar, idiomatic expressions
Modules of cultural studies : the Arts, Music, food and dining habits.
Modules of the heritage. National heritage France
An independent research project on a chosen topic
The study of two books in the target language
The study of a movie in the target language
