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 and Latin, and provide guidance for native speakers of other languages who wish to take formal examinations in their native tongue. There is also a wide selection of self taught language CD roms available for students to make use of in their own time, at school.
Department Staff
| Name | Position |
| Mrs U Storey | Head of MFL |
| Mrs M H Watson | Second in Department |
| Mrs S Barrett | Teacher of MFL / Head of Year |
| Miss A Robertson | Teacher of MFL / Head of Training School |
| Miss S Baker | Teacher of MFL and Business |
| Miss C Wilkinson | Teacher of MFL / ITT Mentor |
| Mr P Hall | Teacher of MFL |
| Mrs S Devereux | MFL Teaching assistan t/ HTLA |
| Mrs D Stanton | Main cover teacher for MFL |
| Mrs R Sheikh | Teacher of Urdu |
| Mr M Bezzeghoud | French 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, with a set one and then two parallel groups per band. 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. Therefore, all students are given the opportunity to study two languages within curriculum time.
The KS3 French scheme of work is based around Métro 1 to 3 and the new GCSE Edexcel text with cultural reference points such as WW2, Haut Couture and French film being key themes in Year 8 -9 especially. Likewise, the KS3 Spanish scheme of work from year 8, is based on Listos 1 – 2 and the new GCSE Edexcel text with cultural reference points such as The Spanish Civil War, Immigration, Latin America and film being key themes.
The additional GCSE material is utilized in Year 9 in order to incorporate challenge and better prepare for KS4. Extra departmental resources are used to enhance teaching and the new KS3 SOWs especially are designed to fit in with the new 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 new Edexcel GCSE course. (This will become linear as from this year September 2012 but no major changes take place as the examinations are taken and all CA work submitted in the final year of the course***)
Both courses cover 2 academic years. Both French and Spanish GCSE students complete controlled coursework in Speaking and Writing (30%+30% = 60%), the deadline for submission of which, is the end of March of the final examination year. The students also will have examinations in listening and reading.
During these two years the students may also be given the opportunity to participate in a foreign visit to France or Spain as well as university visits in order to deepen their understanding of their language. They may also receive extra tuition, at least once a fortnight, with a foreign language assistant in order to boost their language skills.
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 programmeThe Key Stage 5 Curriculum
At KS5 students opting for GCE languages receive 5 lessons per week and follow the Spanish and/ or 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 or year 13.
They also receive extra tuition, at least once a week, with a foreign language assistant in order to boost their language skills.
For more information, please view the A-Level specifications for French or Spanish.
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.
Formative assessment is considered a priority within the department and all staff will use the TSR code in student books to encourage students to set targets, strategies to achieve them and review these on a regular basis. Time is also given to reflect upon learning in set lessons.
In addition, in terms of summative assessment, all students are assessed in all the 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
