Modern Foreign Languages
Spanish, French and Italian
Faculty of MFL
Staff
Miss S Cheung – Head of Faculty
Miss R Mazire – Teacher of French and Spanish
Mr N Fish – Teacher of French and Italian
Ethos
Learning foreign languages is increasingly important in a global economy and also has great value in terms of cultural and linguistic richness in our society, personal fulfilment and global citizenship and understanding. Through the study of a foreign language pupils understand and appreciate different countries, cultures, peoples and communities - and as they do, begin to think of themselves as citizens of the World as well as citizens of the United Kingdom.
Aims
The department aims to provide engaging and challenging experiences with high expectations of achievement that will:
- foster an enjoyment of language learning
- develop the ability to understand and use the foreign language effectively in study, work and leisure
- promote understanding and appreciation of other cultures and lifestyles in other countries
- encourage pride in linguistic achievement
KS3 Curriculum 2020-2021
Year 7
The year group is split into two bands. One band will study French and the other band will study Spanish. All pupils follow the KS3 National Curriculum.
In year 7 teaching focusses on pupils' competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing, based on a sound foundation of core grammar and vocabulary enabling them to understand and communicate personal and factual information.
Year 8 and Year 9
In year 8 and 9 pupils continue to study the Language they studied in Year 7, developing further their competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing which will enable them to understand and communicate personal and factual information beyond their immediate needs and interests.
KS4 Curriculum 2020-2021
Year 10 and 11
In Year 10 pupils opt to take a modern foreign language, choosing from French or Spanish. Pupils are also encouraged to sit examinations in their first language whenever possible. Over the last few years examination results have also been achieved at the highest levels in Urdu, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Dutch, Polish and German.
All pupils follow the GCSE AQA Course.
Questions across all four language skills are set in common contexts, addressing a range of relevant contemporary and cultural themes. They are organised into three themes, each broken down into topics and sub-topics.
The three themes are:
- Identity and Culture
- Local, National, International and Global areas of interest
- Current and Future Studies and Employment
Assessment
The GCSE (9-1) in Modern Foreign Languages consists of four externally examined papers based on the following skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will complete their speaking assessment in May and all other assessments in May/June at the end of Year 11. GCSE Modern Foreign Languages has a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier. All question papers must be taken in the same series.
Percentage of total GCSE |
Assessment Type |
Foundation Tier |
Higher Tier |
|
Paper 1: Listening and understanding |
25% |
Written exam |
35 minutes including 5 minutes’ reading time |
45 minutes including 5 minutes’ reading time |
Paper 2: Speaking |
25% |
Internally conducted and externally assessed |
7–9 minutes plus 12 minutes’ preparation time |
10–12 minutes plus 12 minutes’ preparation time |
Paper 3: Reading and understanding |
25% |
Written exam |
45 minutes |
1 hour |
Paper 4: Writing |
25% |
Written exam |
1 hour |
1 hour 15 minutes |
Curriculum Maps
French
Year 7 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Year 8 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Year 9 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Year 10 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Year 11 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Italian
Year 11 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Spanish
Year 7 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Year 8 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Year 9 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Year 10 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021
Year 11 - Curriculum Map 2020-2021