Curriculum

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

94% of the planet don’t speak English as their mother tongue and 75% do not speak English at all. English speakers who can communicate in additional foreign languages are much sought after. The study of languages opens pupils’ minds to a whole world of opportunity, enabling pupils to:
  • access information about different cultures.
  • improve both verbal and written communication and literacy.
  • perform well under pressure and grow in self-confidence.
Language learning develops a deep cultural awareness of how linguistic heritage links people of different cultures around the world, enables all pupils to broaden their horizons, converse with other people from different backgrounds, and strengthens pupils’ economic prospects.
How will I study Modern Foreign Languages? 

All pupils study one foreign language for two lessons per language each week. They learn to: 

  • understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of carefully selected sources, including authentic audio texts where appropriate.
  • speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
  • read and respond to a wide range of textual sources in each target language, including authentic and literary texts; and to enhance their linguistics knowledge and fluency, an learn more about parts of the world where each language is spoken,
  • through reading for enjoyment from a MFL reading list.
  • write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt.
  • discover and develop an appreciation of the countries and cultures where the language is used. 
What will I study at Key Stage 3? 

Key Stage 3 provides students with a really secure basis for speaking and writing in each language, in a range of contexts including: myself, my family, my school and my interests. 

Initially, pupils learn language phonics and start making links between sounds and spelling. They develop their vocabulary and grammar skills and learn how to introduce themselves, their family and pets in the new language. They also learn to read, write, listen and speak about various aspects of their everyday life (school, leisure activities, sports, their house and their town). 

Then, pupils consolidate their language skills. Their developing knowledge of phonics, vocabulary and grammar enable them to understand, to talk about and describe more extensively about a range of themes such as holidays, festivals and celebrations, the media, their region and healthy lifestyles. 

Finally, towards the end of KS3, as pupils become more confident in using a variety of vocabulary and a greater range of grammatical tenses, they explore themes linked to their lives as teenagers, their future plans, their individual tastes in culture. They also have the opportunity to explore specific cultural and geographical aspects of either the French-speaking, the Spanish-speaking, the Urdu-speaking world.  

What will I study at Key Stage 4? 

Pupils study the GCSE syllabus for each language through a wide range of topics blending the familiar with new knowledge (e.g., what makes a good friend, role models, dream holidays, healthy living, further study, the world of work, social issues in the local areas and how to protect the environment). 

In the first year of GCSE, pupils will: 

  • recall high frequency vocabulary and structures and start to draw upon more specific vocabulary.
  • revisit topics studied at Key Stage 3 in more depth through the Key Stage 4 GCSE specification.
  • know correct verb forms in different tenses and develop more confidence in combining timeframes.
  • offer and justify opinions on a range of topics.
  • listen and read for gist and detail with increasing stamina.
  • speak and write confidently in some detail 

In the final year of GCSE, pupils will:

  • build upon a strong foundation of prior learning to tackle more complex content relating to future plans, healthy lifestyle choices and social and global social issues.
  • synthesise learning across topics and recycle language more proficiently from memory.
  • know some uses of the simple future tense, subjunctive voice and passive voices.
  • communicate competently and confidently in spoken and written language and appreciate francophone or hispanic culture in different countries around the world
  • communicate proficiently in the language verbally and in writing.
  • be well-prepared for the rigour of GCSE exams in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. 
    have a strong foundation to study A-Level Languages. 
Assessment at Key Stage 4 

GCSE French AQA 8658/GCSE Spanish AQA 8698/GCSE Urdu Edexcel 1UR0 

Paper 1: Listening 

Overview Focus
  • Written examination

  • 25% of qualification

This paper consists of multiple-choice, short open response, open response and extended open response questions.  

Paper 2: Speaking 

Overview Focus
  • Oral examination 

  • Internally conducted 

  • Externally assessed 

  • 10-12 minutes’ supervised preparation time 

  • 10-12 minutes’ recorded test  

  • 25% of the qualification 

The test consists of three parts:
Role-play
Based on a stimulus card, to be prepared by the student immediately before the test.
Photo card
Based on a stimulus card, prepared by the student immediately before the test, teachers ask five prescribed questions (three of which will be printed on the student’s card).
General conversation
The teacher conducts a conversation based on the two themes which have not been covered on the photo card. A similar amount of time should be spent on each theme (the student will choose the first theme).

Paper 3: Reading 

Overview Focus
  • Written exam 

  • 25% of the qualification 

This paper consists of multiple-choice, short open response and open response questions. 

Paper 4: Writing 

Overview Focus
  • Written exam 

  • 25% of the qualification 

Higher Tier: This exam consists of three questions.
A structured word writing task
An open-ended, word writing task
A translation from English into Target Language.
Foundation Tier: This exam consists of four questions.
A photocard description task
A structured word writing task
Sentences to translate into Target Language
A structured word writing task 
Enrichment

A range of opportunities are offered to pupils, catering for multiple languages across all Key Stages.

  • We have a French and Arabic club.
  • In each class we have student language ambassadors. These leaders provide support to other students around the Academy and model the language in the corridors.
  • In September, European Day Languages is marked with languages quizzes and competitions.
  • The school library offers an ever-widening range of MFL-related texts such as Astérix and Monsieur Madame.
Careers 

There are a range of career opportunities for pupils if they study modern foreign language to a higher level. The majority of employers prefer to recruit people with languages skills. Having a good GCSE or A Level grade in a foreign language and any degree will enable pupils to work for an international company anywhere around the world. A good GCSE grade in a Modern Foreign Languages will allow pupils to study the language further or to combine with other degree subjects. This can then lead to careers in fields such as interpreting, teaching, languages and community services. Universities and employers value strong language qualifications. 

Useful Resources and Revision Support
  • Pupils should have access to a dual-language dictionary for each language they study.
  • Pupils can benefit from watching cartoons, youtube clips and TV programmes/films in the Target Language.
  • Pupils can prepare for assessments using topic-based revision mats, vocabulary booklets and listening materials provided by language teachers.
  • Pupils are able to review lesson Powerpoints and access additional materials via MS Teams.
  • languagenut.com Subscription site for French Pupils
  • Secondary Homework Help | Online subjects – BBC Bitesize for revision, listening and reading practice
  • https://www.duolingo.com/ learn, read stories and interact via the multilingual forum
  • https://www.memrise.com/ for vocabulary retrieval practice