Modern Foreign Languages

Curriculum Intent Statement

Our intent for the MFL curriculum is built around 4 Cs:

  • Core Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Committment
  • Culture
Core Knowledge

Students will be exposed to a common body of vocabulary and grammatical concepts. Curriculum will use spiralling and inter-leaving to ensure mastery of Core Knowledge. Students will study one language to ensure depth of knowledge can be achieved.

Communication

Students will learn to understand different types of written and spoken language. Students will be taught to speak and write for different purposes in the target language. Students will be taught to communicate with spontaneity and creativity.

Culture

Students will be exposed to the culture of the target – language.  Students will develop an understanding of the opportunities there are outside of their local area/country. Students will have an empathy for difference and an appreciation for diversity, equality and tolerance.

Commitment

Students will be trained in the skills they need to be successful language learners now and in the future. Students will develop skills they can use in their private and professional lives in the future – problem solving, presentation, organising ideas, how to revise and commit knowledge to long-term memory. Students will develop personal qualities such as resilience and learn to appreciate that success requires sustained effort.

What are Modern Foreign Languages?

GCSE Modern Foreign Language is a continuation of the work already invested at Key Stage 3 studies. Many of the topic areas and language structures already learned are part of the knowledge needed at GCSE. During the GCSE course we will revise and extend prior knowledge and introduce new topic areas too. Students will use a range of visual and audio stimuli to develop reading and listening skills, to ensure familiarity with a wide range of source materials, accents and language. Students will also do plenty of speaking practice to develop confidence and fluency and will be encouraged to use the target language as much as possible in the classroom.

Why study GCSE Modern Foreign Languages?

The study of a language will help create a balanced portfolio of GCSE subjects which gives you more options when it comes to Post-16 plans, however did you also know:

  • that 94% of the world’s population does not speak English as their first language?
  • that 75% do not speak English at all?
  • that 60% of UK trade is with non-English speaking countries?
  • that employers may pay an increment for even basic, conversational language competency?
  • that 70% of businesses in the UK have some international contact?
  • that only 25% of UK students have a language GCSE qualification?
  • that Britons face the toughest competition for jobs because the lack of language skills limits horizons?
  • that over half of all UK adults regret having dropped language study?

Studying a language is hard work ... but it is rewarding and even fun!

Course Structure

Each of the four skill areas are examined separately and students will have plenty of opportunities to prepare for these. At the end of Year 11, there are final examinations in each of the four skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Students will be entered at either Foundation or Higher tier.

Skill % of Mark
Assessment
Speaking 25% One role play
One picture card with related questions
General conversation topics
Writing 25% Various tasks depending on tier, to include:
Describing photos
Short tasks in response to bullet points (approximately 40 words)
Choice of essay, producing paragraphs responding to bullet points (approximately 90 or 130 words, depending on the task)
Translation from English to French/German/Spanish
Reading 25% Comprehension questions: answers in English
answers in French/German/Spanish
Listening 25% Comprehension questions: answers in English
answers in French/German/Spanish

Supporting Documents

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