Modern Foreign Languages

Why are Modern Foreign Languages important?

“I speak English, so I don’t have to have a Foreign Language …”

Everyone speaks English, right?  WRONG!
According to the CIA World Fact Book, only 5.6% of the world’s total population speaks English as a primary language.
The balance of the world economy is changing as countries like China, India, Russia etc. grow in importance. Speaking the language of other nations will be a huge factor in how successful we are in the future.
But there is more! Learning another language opens up new opportunities and gives you perspectives that you might never have encountered otherwise. It also helps you build friendships with people across the globe!

MFL at KS3

The MFL department consists of:
•    French
•    Spanish
At the start of Key Stage 3 students are allocated a language which they continue with until the end of year 9.
Students gain knowledge of the language, grammar and cultural understanding which enhance their confidence and skills in a variety of situations.
Students complete topic based projects which include the following:
•    Language for communication about ourselves and the world in which we live.
•    The value and diversity of languages throughout the world.
•    Language for travel and work purposes.
•    The creative and expressive power of the language as well as its forms and structures.
Throughout KS3 students are also encouraged to participate in competitions based on using the language creatively.

MFL at KS4

At Key Stage 4, students have the option to continue with the language they have been learning in Key Stage 3. 
The GCSE course follows the AQA specifications for French and Spanish.

The Course:
Over a two year period students will cover the following themes:
•    Lifestyle
•    Leisure
•    Home and Environment
•    Work and Education.

Students will be encouraged to use the target language as much as possible, deal with real life situations in the target language and become more independent and creative in their use of the language.

Method of Assessment:
Students will be assessed continuously throughout the two year course to ensure progress is made and to enable students to take ownership of their learning. However in the final exam, students will be assessed in the following 4 skills:
•    Listening: 20%
•    Speaking: 30%
•    Reading: 20%
•    Writing: 30%

There are two tiers of the examination: Higher Tier = Grades A*- D and Foundation Tier = Grades C-G.
Students may mix Higher and Foundation papers according to their skills and academic needs in order to achieve the best possible grade.

Beyond the Classroom

Students from any year group are welcome at our extra-curricular language clubs - they do not even need to be studying a language to attend. We currently offer revision classes / homework club and an eTwinning pen pal club.
We endeavour to organise annual trips abroad as well as  language-focussed trips to the Europa Centre for KS4.This year in July KS3 students will be going on a day trip to Boulogne-Sur-Mer. Our students are very excited!

How can Parents Support their Child?

•    Checking that homework is being noted down in the planner each week
•    Testing students on vocabulary.
•    Ensuring that students take pride and time over their work which brings about high quality pieces of homework

Handy hint: To help students learn vocabulary a great idea is to write key words on a post-it note to label everyday objects. While this may cause some untidiness in the home, it can be great fun, as the whole family can get involved in learning the words.

Useful Links

French
www.wildfrench.co.uk
www.frenchrevision.co.uk
www.francais-extra.co.uk

Spanish
www.spanishspanish.com
www.spanishrevision.co.uk
www.espanol-extra.co.uk
www.asisehace.net

Both Languages
www.mflgames.co.uk
www.languageskills.co.uk