Modern Foreign Languages
Ms. B Gatti - Head of MFL
The Year 7 scheme of work forms an introduction to French and Spanish. The main aim, at this early stage, is to acquaint students with the sounds, basic grammar and vocabulary of each language respectively.
This knowledge will enable students to understand the spoken and written word in the target language and will allow them to converse using short sentences. As students progress they will consolidate their comprehension skills, will be able to talk about themselves and their world and will possess the skills that will allow them to produce short dialogues.
Whilst each of the four disciplines, listening, speaking, reading and writing, are constantly reinforced, the emphasis is placed squarely on the first two. Literacy is reinforced through the use of short written exercises. Oracy is consolidated through the development of presentation skills, the production of dialogues in the target language and drama. Numeracy is reinforced regularly through the teaching of specific grammatical or linguistic aspects of each language and via a variety of games.
In Year 8 students will study either French or Spanish according to the choice they made at the end of Year 7. The Yera 8 scheme of work is aimed at reinforcing all previously learnt grammar and vocabulary by providing students with ample opportunity to practice the four linguistic disciplines.
Cultural awareness in respect of the countries where the target language is spoken occupies an important place within the scheme of work. Amongst the topics to be studied are the culinary delights of France or Spain, school life, French or Spanish towns and cities and tourism.
Year 9 is an enrichment year when students reinforce their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and consolidate their ability in the four linguistic disciplines of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Students who decide to study either French or Spanish at GCSE will follow a two year AQA course. During this period students will have ample opportunity to reinforce their comprehension and speaking skills as they will be encouraged to respond as much as possible in French or Spanish to instructions given in the target language. Students will engage in presentations, poetry recitals and role-play; exercises aimed at building up their confidence and fluency. Writing skills will also be consolidated through a range of activities, such as research and project writing, interviewing and presentations.