Modern Foreign Languages
We endeavour to create a learning environment which encourages pupils to achieve their potential
Modern Foreign Languages at St. James'
The Modern Foreign Languages team consists of 5 well-qualified linguists, who teach across the whole age and ability range. Our aim is to engage pupils in foreign language learning, so that they build up confidence at their own pace, developing the skills of understanding the spoken and written word and speaking and writing in the foreign language. By engaging and challening pupils in lessons and using a variety of language learning techniques we aim to motivate them in their studies and give them the tools to be able to learn more languages in the future.
Most pupils currently in Year 7 - 9 are working towards completing a GCSE in eitehr French or German by the end of Year 9. The MFL faculty has been allocate more curriculum time inorder to faciliitate this new initiative.
We have also introduced a course of study for some set 3 pupils at KS3 and kS4 which enables them to gain a National Vocational Qualification Level 2 in Business Languages by the end of Year 9 or Year 11.
Some selected pupils have been disapplied in Year 8 and follow an alternative curriculum to support their literacy and numeracy skills.
Pupils studying German are able to participate in our bi-annual exchange to our partner school in Heilbronn.
All pupils in Year 8 are encouraged to broaden their cultural understanding of France by participating in the annual school trip to Normandy.
A foreign language also offers opportunities for pupils to:
- become increasingly familar with the sounds, written form and grammar of a modern foreign language
- use their knowledge with growing confidence and competence to understand what they hear and read, and to express themselves in speech and in writing
- develop language skills and language-learning skills, including applying their knowledge of grammar and structures, so that they become increasingly indepedent learners and users of French/German
- Use the foreign language as the principal means of communication within the classroom and beyond it, where opportunities exist
- increase their cultural awareness by learning about French/German speaking countries and their peoples and by working with materials from those countries
- form a sound basis for further study in Key Stage 4 and beyond
Pupils follow the AQA syllabus for GCSE French or German specification
Pupils learn to deal with an increasing degree of unpredictability, a wider range of potential problems, begin to underssand and give opinions about different issues and they give fuller descriptions and accounts of events and people.
We endeavour to create a learning environment which encourages pupils to achieve their potential in line with their targets. Vocabulary games, interactive, mind friendly and co-operative learning, pair work and small group work with the Foreign Language Assistant are integral to the teaching and learning.
The syllabus for both French and German covers 4 main themes, which are divided into topics; My World, Holiday Time and Travel, Work and Lifestyle and The Young Person and Society.
Grammar knowledge is reinforced and devloped. We lay great store by "passive" vocabulary learning; pupils need to learn and be assesed on topic-based list of words on a weekly basis. Coursework is thoroughly prepared by means of classwork and homework; pupils need to memorise paragraphs of language on a regular basis to ensure they are ready for the Controlled Coursework Exams, the dates of which are sent out to parents well in advance.
Pupils' written and spoken work is assessed on 4 pieces of coursework completed in school time. The other 2 skills of Listening and Reading are assessed at the end of the course in May/June.
Pupils are entered at Higher or Foundation tier in each skill area.
Mr P Vulliamy – Director of Modern Foreign Languages.