Modern Foreign Languages

Curriculum Information about Modern Foreign Languages at King James I Academy

Teaching Staff

  • J Stephenson (Director of Learning)

MFL Curriculum Intent

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, students

  • Are provided with opportunities to become resilient and independent learners;
  • Develop a strong awareness of the culture of French-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.

We have established pen pal links with our partner school in Gap, France and students across the year groups regularly exchange letters with a French student.

 

Key Stage 3

 

Year 7

Students study French and will continue with this language throughout Key Stage 3. Basic knowledge in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing skills is acquired in Year 7 so students are able to understand and use language to talk about themselves, their families, where they live, what they like to do in their free time. There is an emphasis on active listening and speaking skills and a range of resources including authentic materials are used.

 

Year 8

Students in year 8 build on prior knowledge from year 7 in order to develop the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing incorporating more complex language and they will learn how to use different tenses.

There are five main areas of study: Leisure Activities, Holidays, Daily Routine, Sport and cultural activities. We use a variety of source materials in French to support the learning throughout the year.

 

Year 9

Students in Year 9 build on and extend their knowledge from the previous two years of language learning. They will be able to use the past, present and future tenses in their work. They will also be able to take part in conversations and write longer pieces of French about the environment, health, films and TV, the world of work and the French-speaking world. 

 

MFL Department: Overview of Key Stage 3 French Scheme of Work 2024-2025

 

Half-term

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Autumn Term 1

Tout sur moi!

Introductory unit covering language awareness, greetings, numbers, descriptions, likes and dislikes and the French-speaking world.

Introduction to phonics

Destination Vacances

Talking about holidays preferences and what you normally do, where you go and what you take.

Describing a past holiday and a dream holiday in the future.

Looking at popular holiday destinations

En pleine forme

Looking at healthy lifestyles and diet, saying how your diet has changed, giving advice to others and saying how you will change your lifestyle in the future

Autumn Term 2

Mon monde perso

Describe personality, talk about family and friends, opinions of school subjects, home and family life

Bouger, c’est important!

Sports, leisure activities, parts of the body and injuries

Looking at sports celebrities

Accro à la technologie

Describing how, when and why you use technology. Looking at the advantages and disadvantages of technology.

Spring Term 1

Autour de moi

Talk about school and where you live, leisure activities and personal possessions, describing animals

Aux quatre coins du monde!

Talk about where you live, what your daily routine is, what you did yesterday and how you are going to help people in the future

Etre ado, c’est quoi?

Describing what life is like as a teenager.

Looking at environmental problems 

Spring Term 2

A table

Eating, drinking and mealtimes, opinions on food and drink, eating out in a café, understanding recipes.

Le monde des medias

Films, TV programmes, music and books – giving extended opinions. Cultural references and studies.

Chez moi

Types of home, rooms, describing a bedroom, ideal home and give reasons

Summer Term 1

Mon quartier

Describe a town, say what you can do at different places, directions, going out and meeting up

On reflète

Talking about weekend activities

Talking about music preferences and national events

Un métier, un rêve

Jobs and qualities needed for certain professions, ideal jobs and ambitions, part-time jobs. 

 

Summer Term 2

Ça, c’est mon truc

Talking about clothes and say what style you like and what you wear on different occasions

Saying when/how often you do activities depending on the weather

C’est quoi, la France?

Comparing France and Britain, describing a country, transport, Francophone cartoon characters

Autour du monde

Means of transport, planning a holiday, talking about a past holiday