Modern Foreign Languages
The Modern Languages department is housed in 5 well equipped classrooms within the Modern Languages suite which provide a comfortable and positive learning environment for our students.
Within the department we teach Spanish and French up to A Level but also have enrichments available in Italian, Japanese, Latin and provide guidance for native speakers of other languages who wish to take formal examinations in their native tongue.
There will be a new A-Level specification for September 2008, please download and read below:
Department Staff
| Name | Position |
| Mrs U Storey | Head of MFL |
| Miss E Aubert | Teacher of MFL and NQT Mentor |
| Mrs S Barrett | Teacher of MFL / Head of Year 7 |
| Miss A Robertson | Teacher of MFL / Advanced Skills Teacher / |
| Miss S Baker | Teacher of MFL |
| Mrs S Devereux | MFL Teaching assistant |
| Miss E Gautier | French Language Assistant |
| Miss P Rodriguez | Spanish Language Assistant |
Aims of the Department
- To enable students to communicate effectively and to their full potential using the target language.
- To give students an insight into and appreciation of the culture of the countries whose language they are studying and to have a better understanding and tolerance of people.
- To equip our students with the skills they need to access opportunities in the world of travel and work in a modern, technological society.
- To enjoy language learning.
The Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Students at KS3 are taught French in tutor groups in year 7 and then set according to ability from year 8. They then study both languages. Across KS3 they receive 2 hours of MFL per week which represents two hours of French in year 7 and one hour of each language in years 8 and 9.
The KS3 French scheme of work is based on Métro 1, 2 and 3. and the KS3 Spanish scheme of work from year 8, is based on Listos 1 and 2 as well as the additional ICT based resources around these texts. Moreover, extra departmental resources are used to enhance teaching. Both of the schemes are provided with the course books and incorporate the MFL framework and programmes of study
The Key Stage 4 Curriculum
At KS4 pupils opting for GCSE languages receive two or three lessons per week depending upon which option group they are in and the Spanish and French GCSE groups follow the Edexcel course.
The course covers 5 modules in 2 academic years. Both French and Spanish GCSE students complete 25% of the course by coursework, the deadline for submission of which is the end of March of the examination year. The students also will have examinations in speaking, listening and reading each which represent 25% of the course. During these two years the students will also be given the opportunity to participate in a foreign visit abroad as well as university visits in order to deepen their understanding of their language.
The MFL department also encourages pupils to be entered for GCSE examinations in community languages or other languages that are spoken at home, whether they are learning the language formally or not. Support for these examinations is provided through our enrichment programme
LATEST RESULTS!!:
2008: 95% A-C
The Key Stage 5 Curriculum
At KS5 students opting for GCE languages receive 6 lessons per week and follow the Spanish and French Edexcel course. They are encouraged to participate in visits abroad to enhance their learning and also have the opportunity to participate in work experience during year 12 and 13. They also receive extra tuition, at least once a week, with a foreign language assistant in order to boost their language skills.
LATEST RESULTS!!:
2008: A2: 100% A-E AS : 88% A-E
Teaching & Learning in MFL
- All students are grouped according to their abilities from year 8. This is based on KS2 data, year 7 tests in the, MFL and teacher assessment although this is currently under review due to the large number of students now studying a MFL in Primary.
- Students in KS5 have 2 teachers who each deliver a part of the GCE course.
- Priority is given to both KS4-5 students for lessons with the MFL assistant.
- All students are encouraged to work independently in and out of the classroom and develop their L2L skills as well as make good use of the resources made available to them via the Academy intranet and teacher Blogs.
Assessment
Assessment is in line with the whole school policy. Students are given comments and/or a grade/level on their work where appropriate and are encouraged to apply strategies discussed in class to allow them to succeed.
Students are assessed in all four attainment targets and receive reports according to the Academy assessment calendar.
Why should you study a Language?
- You may require it for entry to some university courses- other than languages
- You often get paid more as some jobs pay you up to 20% more for a good language qualification
- You will be in demand as languages can improve your career prospects in business, fashion, media, football, engineering etc.
- You will meet new people
- You will help the UK companies are that are losing 20% of their business because they lack language skills
- You may live longer and make your brain bigger as it has been scientifically proven that learning a language can be good for the old grey matter!
- You will have the opportunity to visit and even work abroad
- You will become more confident as speaking in a different language to a French, Spanish or Italian speaker will make communication in your own language seem easy
