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. Through VAKE activities pupils are motivated to learn and practise essential vocabulary and pupils have increasing access to interactive material.
All pupils learn either French or German at KS3 and the majority of them complete a G.C.S.E in that language by the end of KS4. Only a few pupils are dis-applied at KS4 and follow an alternative curriculum. Top set pupils in Years 8 and 9 have one 50 minute lesson of Spanish per week in addition to their main language lessons.
Year 8 pupils are offered the opportunity to take part in an exchange with our partner school in Heilbronn, Germany. We are also fortunate to have the services of either a German or French Language Assistant every year. In recent years we have had French and German theatre groups performing to KS3 pupils. During Humanities and Enterprise week KS3 and KS4 pupils have enjoyed watching and discussing foreign films.
MFL at key stage 3
PUPILS FOLLOW THE QCA SCEMES OF WORK
Aims and purposes
A foreign language offers opportunities for pupils to:
become increasingly familiar 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 independent learners and users of French/German/Spanish
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/Spanish-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.
Creativity in language learning
As pupils' independence increases, they can be encouraged to become more creative in their use of language and in the way they work, using language for their own purposes rather than merely to practise skills.
Examples of creativity in learning a foreign language include:
replacing words or phrases in sentences with other words or phrases of pupils' own choosing;
adding extra details or ideas to what they say or write, eg in role plays or letters;
adapting or composing songs, poems and rhymes;
'brainstorming' ideas, as a whole class or in small groups, around a topic or aspect of language, eg listing as many adjectives as possible before describing their favourite actor or actress;
using a variety of media, including ICT, to express themselves in the foreign language;
expressing or presenting things differently, eg using information from a holiday brochure as a stimulus for writing a holiday diary or postcard;
creating spoken and written presentations, sketches and role plays that draw on previously learnt language.
KS4
At KS4 pupils follow the AQA syllabus for GCSE French or German Specification A.
Pupils learn to deal with an increasing degree of unpredictability, a wider range of potential problems, begin to understand 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 the targets set for them at the beginning of KS4. Vocabulary games, 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, The Young Person and Society.
Grammar knowledge is reinforced and developed. Passive vocabulary is expanded as is active vocabulary.
Pupils’ written work is assessed on 3 pieces of coursework completed in school time during the course of Years 10 and 11.
The other 3 skills of Speaking, Listening and Reading are assessed at the end of the course in May/June of year 11.
Pupils are entered at Higher or Foundation tier in each skill area.
Philip Vulliamy – Head of Modern Foreign Languages.