Modern Foreign Languages

Why study Modern Foreign Languages?

The Modern Foreign Language programmes we offer develop pupils’ cultural awareness, teach them the fundamentals of communicating effectively in a foreign language, and equip them with the skills they need to progress to a global marketplace. They promote a healthy attitude of tolerance and understanding and help pupils to see beyond the microcosms of their own communities, providing an insight into the similarities and differences between contrasting cultures, along with the traditions that help to inform them.

94% of the planet don’t speak English as their mother tongue and 75% do not speak English at all. English speakers who can communicate in additional foreign languages are much sought after. The study of languages opens pupils’ minds to a whole world of opportunity, enabling pupils to:

• access information about different cultures.
• improve both verbal and written communication and literacy.
• perform well under pressure and grow in self-confidence.

Language learning develops a deep cultural awareness of how linguistic heritage links people of different cultures around the world, enables all pupils to broaden their horizons, converse with other people from different backgrounds, and strengthens pupils’ economic prospects.

How will I study Modern Foreign Languages?

Pupils will learn how to convey vital information about themselves, their families and their lives, and will also master essential phrases, such as how to ask for directions, order food, and organise social engagements. Pronunciation and grammar will be key components of the course, ensuring pupils are able to communicate through both spoken and written mediums.

Pupils will also learn a variety of valuable transferrable skills whilst undertaking a MFL, such as communication, problem-solving, creativity, ICT, literacy, numeracy and performance skills.

We offer both French and Arabic from KS3 through to KS4.

All pupils will study one MFL beginning in KS3 through to KS4. They learn to:

• understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of carefully selected sources, including authentic audio texts where appropriate.
• speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
• read and respond to a wide range of textual sources in each target language, including authentic and literary texts; and to enhance their linguistics knowledge and fluency, an learn more about parts of the world where each
• language is spoken, through reading for enjoyment from a MFL reading list.
• write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt.
• discover and develop an appreciation of the countries and cultures where the language is used.

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

Key Stage 3 provides students with a secure basis for speaking and writing in each language, in a range of contexts including myself, my family, my school, and my interests.

Initially, pupils learn language phonics and start making links between sounds and spelling. They develop their vocabulary and grammar skills and learn how to introduce themselves, their family, and their pets in the new language. They also learn to read, write, listen and speak about various aspects of their everyday life (school, leisure activities, sports, their house, and their town).

Pupils are then taught to consolidate their language skills. Their developing knowledge of phonics, vocabulary, and grammar enables them to understand, talk about and describe more extensively a range of themes such as holidays, festivals and celebrations, the media, their region, and healthy lifestyles.

Finally, towards the end of KS3, as pupils become more confident in using a variety of vocabulary and a greater range of grammatical tenses, they explore themes linked to their lives as teenagers, their future plans, their individual tastes in culture, and their views on environmental issues. They also have the opportunity to explore specific cultural and geographical aspects of the French-speaking world.

Curriculum Overview –  KS3 French

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

Pupils study the GCSE syllabus for each language through a wide range of topics blending the familiar with new knowledge (e.g., what makes a good friend, role models, dream holidays, healthy living, further study, the world of work, social issues in the local areas and how to protect the environment).

In the first year of GCSE, pupils will:

• recall high frequency vocabulary and structures and start to draw upon more specific vocabulary.
• revisit topics studied at Key Stage 3 in more depth through the Key Stage 4 GCSE specification.
• know correct verb forms in different tenses and develop more confidence in combining timeframes.
• offer and justify opinions on a range of topics.
• listen and read for gist and detail with increasing stamina.
• speak and write confidently in some detail.

In the final year of GCSE, pupils will:

• build upon a strong foundation of prior learning to tackle more complex content relating to future plans, healthy lifestyle choices and social and global social issues.
• synthesise learning across topics and recycle language more proficiently from memory.
• know some uses of the simple future tense, subjunctive voice and passive voices.
• communicate competently and confidently in spoken and written French and appreciate francophone culture in different countries around the world
• communicate proficiently in the language verbally and in writing.
• be well-prepared for the rigour of GCSE exams in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
• have a strong foundation to study A-Level Languages.

Curriculum Overview –  KS4 French (GCSE)

Assessment at Key Stage 3

Formal assessments take place three times a year for KS3 students and five times a year for KS4 students. Additionally, students complete end-of-topic tests and are given regular verbal and written feedback on their work.

Enrichment

A wide range of extra-curricular opportunities is offered to pupils, catering to multiple languages across all Key Stages. Currently, we include French culture within our lessons in bolstering it and bringing to life the vocabulary, grammar, themes, topics, and skills we deliver to our pupils. The events we organise, the competitions we arrange, and the trips we take the pupils on, all enrich pupils’ experience and understanding of French and help further develop their love and passion for the subject.

The MFL Faculty also organizes whole school language-related events:

• Students visit local French and Arabic restaurants, for example students had a meal at the Tabule Kitchen and then at Shawarma City, where they were immersed in French and Arabic culture and cuisine. They had to order food in either one of the two languages that they were studying.
• The Students also will have the opportunity to enjoy linguistic interaction with students from different local schools during a Language Breakfast Day, in which they will explore language, culture and virtually visit different French speaking countries.
• Students also improve their experience and repertoire of Arabic during the after school Arabic Culture Club.

French classroom offers an ever-widening range of MFL-related enrichment. Year 8 Autumn term 2, pupils enjoy learning about and partaking in French festivals and traditions, where they learn through interactive ‘storytime’ sessions and audio and video clips via MS Teams.

Careers

There are a range of career opportunities for pupils if they study a modern foreign language at further or high level. The majority of employers prefer to recruit people with language skills. Having a good GCSE or A Level grade in a foreign language and any degree will enable pupils to work for an international company anywhere around the world. A good GCSE grade in French will allow pupils to study the language further or to combine it with other degree subjects. This can then lead to careers in fields such as interpreting, teaching, languages, and community services. Universities and employers value strong language qualifications.

Useful Resources and Revision Support

Pupils should have access to a dual-language dictionary for each language they study.
Pupils can benefit from watching cartoons, youtube clips and TV programmes/films in the Target Language.
Pupils can prepare for assessments using topic-based revision mats, vocabulary booklets, and listening materials provided by language teachers.
Pupils are able to review lesson PowerPoint and access additional materials via MS Teams.

• languagenut.com Subscription site for Arabic and French Pupils.
• Secondary Homework Help | Online subjects – BBC Bitesize for revision, listening and reading practice
• https://www.duolingo.com/ learn, read stories and interact via the multilingual forum
• AQA | Languages | GCSE | French – 8658
• Students – GCSEPod
• All subjects by key stage – Oak National Academy (thenational.academy)