MFL

Content Statement

Learning a foreign language gives students a wide range of skills which can be used in a variety of contexts. Learning is themed around real world topics and issues which gradually introduces increasingly complex levels of language to stretch and challenge students.

By studying French/Spanish, students

• Are provided with opportunities to become resilient and independent learners;
• Develop a strong awareness of the culture of French or Spanish-speaking countries and benefit from opportunities to experience aspects of the culture through the regular use of authentic materials;
• Learn how to communicate in another language using the four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing
• Are encouraged to be inquisitive linguists, developing an understanding of etymology, grammar and how languages are interlinked;
• Students are able to achieve and be successful in lessons. We celebrate the achievements of our linguists because learning a language is a great achievement.

Department Information

The MFL department aim to create and develop enthusiastic and independent learners. We are committed to establishing a learning environment that encourages students to feel confident about taking risks and developing informed opinions about the world around them. Our curriculum focuses on acquiring the skills needed to understand and use another language in real-life situations; we want students to reflect on and enhance their skills, ask questions and enjoy challenge, thereby making progress.

Each year we take part in the Education Perfect World Championships and we have recently established a link with a school in Spain which will allow us to use language learnt in a practical way.

FRENCH

Key Stage 5

The AQA French A Level course is followed which builds on the language knowledge and grammar covered during the GCSE course.

Exams at the end of Year 13 are as follows:

Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation - 50% of the qualification

Paper 2: Written response to works and translation - 20% of the qualification

Paper 3: Speaking - 30% of the qualification (this will be conducted by the teacher)

Course guide

This two-year course covers the two Themes from the AQA specification as well as film/literary studies.

Theme 1a: Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends

· The changing nature of family (La famille en voie de changement

· The 'cyber-society' (La « cyber-société »)

· The place of voluntary work (Le rôle du bénévolat)

Theme 1b Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues

· Positive features of a diverse society (Les aspects positifs d'une société diverse)

· Life for the marginalised (Quelle vie pour les marginalisés ?)

· How criminals are treated (Comment on traite les criminels)

Theme 2a: Artistic culture in the French-speaking world

· A culture proud of its heritage (Une culture fière de son patrimoine)

· Contemporary francophone music (La musique francophone contemporaine)

· Cinema: the 7th art form (Cinéma : le septième art)

Theme 2b Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world

· Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment (Les ados, le droit de vote et l’engagement politique)

· Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power? (manifestations, grèves – à qui le pouvoir ?)

· Politics and immigration (La politique et l’immigration)

Course structure

During the two years, you will also study one film and one work of literature.

There will also be an individual research project Students must identify a subject or a key question which is of interest to them and which relates to a country or countries where French is spoken. They must select relevant information in French from a range of sources including the internet. The aim of the research project is to develop research skills. Students will demonstrate their ability to initiate and conduct individual research by analysing and summarising their findings, in order to present and discuss them in the speaking assessment.

Course content

You will tackle a wide range of different activities in all four skills, including listening and reading tasks, translation, summarising, writing and speaking tasks. A mixture of auto-marked and teacher-marked activities are provided to allow you to monitor your progress.

Throughout the course, you are given the opportunity to review and revise the work you’ve undertaken.

As you progress through the course, you will also have access to exam-style activities preparing you for your final exams.

Course assessment

Informal assessment happens regularly throughout the course with the use of quick check quizzes, auto-marked and teacher-marked activities. More formal assessment takes place at the end of each Theme using exam-style tasks. There will be exams at the end of Year 1 and mocks during Year 2, marked by the teacher, enabling both the teacher and you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement.

SPANISH

Key Stage 5

Entry Requirements: 

A minimum of GCSE Grade 4 in Spanish; however a Grade 5 or above would be preferable. 

How the course is taught 

We use a variety of resources including the core course textbook, supplementary grammar resources, interactive websites, foreign films, songs and literature. Students are encouraged to speak in Spanish for the majority of lessons to improve fluency. 

What areas are covered by the course? 

Year 1 

Media (TV, advertising, new technologies); Popular Culture (film, music, fashion); Healthy Living (sports, health and well-being, holidays); Family and Personal Relationships. 

 
Year 2

Environment (pollution, energy, protection of the planet); the Multicultural Society (immigration, integration, racism); Contemporary Social Problems (poverty, public order, science and technology). Students then cover two cultural topics of their choice, for example foreign cinema, a Spanish speaking country, Spanish literature. 

How is the course assessed? 

At the end of Year 13 students will have one exam which assesses Listening, Reading and Writing. Students have control of the listening, so they can rewind as many times as they need. They will also do a Speaking Exam with their teacher, which will be recorded and submitted to the exam board for marking. 

Career Opportunities 

There are a vast number of careers in which languages are vital or a distinct advantage such as Translation and Interpretation, Foreign Journalism, International Law, International Business and Marketing and Teaching at both primary and secondary levels. MFL