We aim to develop

We aim to develop students’ ability to converse in French and German both accurately and with confidence. Language listening and speaking exercises are designed for students to extend their vocabulary and ultimately autonomously improve their communication, pronunciation and fluency. Role plays are conducted in pairs; students also participate in small discussion groups and converse with a native speaker or with a highly competent Sixth Form Linguist, either on a one-to-one or in cluster groups in the target language. Part of our Extended Learning strategy is to encourage students to read texts independently and to write their response to a set task. We also aim to promote students’ independent learning and enjoyment of the language across all Key Stages, by using interactive language software which can also be accessed from home. The department is also very committed to providing linguists with CLIL teaching resources and pedagogy, which are a more advanced and cognitive method of learning.

Curriculum

Year Seven

Students are taught both French and German in mixed ability groups. Students follow the Métro and Logo suite of textbooks and we use the accompanying workbooks to support further personalised learning and stretch and challenge linguists with extensions.

Year Seven French Programmes of Study include greetings, personal description, numbers , time, days, dates, months and special occasions, countries and nationalities, school subjects and equipment, colours and description, personal opinions, the weather and seasons, the home, family and pets, snacks, sports and hobbies, holidays, asking for directions around the town.

Year Seven German Programmes of Study include greetings, personal description, numbers , time, days, dates, months and birthdays, countries, school subjects and equipment, colours and description, personal opinions, the home, family and pets, snacks and sports and hobbies.

Year Eight

Students are taught in sets by their ability in French. Students follow the Métro and Logo suite of textbooks and we use the accompanying workbooks to support further personalised learning and stretch and challenge linguists with extensions

Year Eight French Programmes of Study include personal description, perfect tense, future tense, daily routine, time, clubs, arranging to go out, family and friends, favourite things, parts of the body, illnesses, food, snacks, numbers and money, transport, getting to know the city of Paris, making a booking (accommodation), understanding instructions.

Year Nine

At the end of year eight, the MFL staff determine the best pathway for our pupils. Students either continue to study both French and German for a total of three hours per fortnight or they specialise in either French or German for a total of six hours per fortnight. They follow the Métro and Logo suite of textbooks and we use the accompanying workbooks to support further personalised learning and stretch and challenge linguists with extensions.

Year Nine French Programmes of Study include town, giving directions, family, characteristics, home, housework, perfect tense, shopping, keeping fit, healthy eating, clothes, pocket money, weather and future tense.  We are also very keen on stretching students with past G.C.S.E Papers in the Spring of Year Nine, in order to respond to the linguists’ appetite for improvement and attainment.

Year Nine German Programmes of Study include town, weather and seasons, perfect tense, future tense, time, holidays, accommodation and transport, buying train tickets, parts of the body and illnesses, daily routine, keeping fit, food and drink, shops, pocket money, asking for and giving directions, making plans, clothes and fashion, tv programmes and films. We are also very keen on stretching students with past G.C.S.E Papers in the Spring of Year Nine, in order to respond to the linguists’ appetite for improvement and attainment.

Key Stage Four

The study of a Modern Foreign Language is optional at Key Stage Four. However, there are several students who choose to study both French and German to GCSE examination level. At Key Stage Four, students follow the EDEXCEL exam specifications.
EDEXCEL’s skills weighting is structured as follows:
Listening and Reading: 20% each of the overall grade.
Speaking and Writing (Controlled assessment): 30% each of the overall grade.
Linguists can mix and match tiers for the listening and Reading exams to suit and personalise their ability in those skills.
Year Ten French Programmes of Study include media, holidays, school life, family life.
Year Ten German Programmes of Study include media, holidays, school life, family life.

Year Eleven French Programmes of Study include healthy living, the world of work, home and town, environment, free time and hobbies.

AS / A2

At AS and A2, linguists follow the AQA syllabus. They are required to develop autonomous learning and critical skills, and they conduct individual research on topics including family and other relationships, the media, future study and career plans, environmental, health and global issues, and they assimilate background information for the study and understanding of literary texts. The significance of thinking skills, background subject knowledge and the ability to construct an argument is reflected in the weighting of the AS and A2 examination.

Year Twelve French Programmes of Study include television, advertising, communication technology, cinema, music, fashion trends, sport/exercise, health and well-being, holidays, relationships within the family, friendships and marriage/partnerships.

Year Twelve German Programmes of Study include television, advertising, communication technology, cinema, music, fashion trends, sport/exercise, health and well-being, holidays, relationships within the family, friendships and marriage/partnerships.

Year Thirteen French Programmes of Study include environment, poverty, racism, rights and crime, role of technology, politics and two cultural topics chosen by the teacher.

Year Thirteen German Programmes of Study include environment, poverty, racism, rights and crime, role of technology, politics and two cultural topics chosen by the teacher.

Extra-Curricular

We run a popular and successful annual exchange programme to Germany (Schifferstadt) for students in Years Nine and Ten which is well supported by both students and parents. Trips to Berlin and Paris are offered to Sixth Formers. Further trips to either Paris or and Southern areas of France are also highly regarded for Key Stage Four.

Language Support

The Modern Languages Department works closely with the Learning Support Department, and Teaching Assistants play an active role in supporting students in their language learning.

Updated: September 2012

Staff