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Modern Languages

FACULTY OF MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Head of Faculty Miss G Dunoyer

  What is Modern Foreign Languages?

Students all over Europe learn modern foreign languages from an early age. Studying a language helps develop valuable set of skills: by comparing the functionality of the new language to that of their own, students gain a better understanding of  the grammar in their native language. Through the study of language, students also learn about a range of cultural and social traditions in the countries where the chosen language is spoken, adding to their cultural capital and enlightening their knowledge of a range of other cultures.

CURRICULUM VISION

 The Curriculum vision is to inspire students to think like and become linguists, as well as understanding that learning a language is a long life journey. We aim to develop confident, enthusiastic and independent learners through an engaging and challenging curriculum which values the strengths of all and celebrates achievement. We promote cultural awareness and develop our students into global and respectful citizens of the 21st Century. 

Why do we study Modern Foreign Languages?

From Year 7 onwards we regularly remind our students of the need to have the skills which will benefit them in a Global Market. So many of our students already speak a variety of world languages and we advocate the value of these as well as the languages we teach through key stages 3 and 4 into our Sixth Form and on to University and their future careers. Most of all we promote the idea that language learning is fun and to be enjoyed and how even a small amount of language can be of great use whatever their career path.

CURRICULUM INTENT

Our students will:

  • learn in a way that is enjoyable and accessible for all 
  • be versed in good routine established to become active learners
  • be equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond and contribute to the cultural, social, political changes of the society studied; go above and beyond the teaching of languages of content and grammar
  • value and position the importance of languages in a global community
  • be aware that the teaching of FL opens the doors to new societies, cultures and values 
  • develop all skills equally with an emphasis on the speaking skill.  The process of becoming fluent starts in Year 7!

What do we study? 

Students learn language that relate to their everyday life as well as global and current affairs. From years 7 to 11 students may cover the following areas of study at varying degrees of depth: Relationships with family/friends and free time activities; Free time and the media; Home and local area; Shopping, money, fashion & trends; School, college and future plans; Holiday activities, locations, accommodation, weather, tourism, eating out; Health & lifestyle; Environmental issues, global issues, homelessness; Work & education, part-time jobs, professions, future plans.

In addition to these language related topics, students learn about festivals and cultural expressions from the societies where the foreign language is spoken.

The school runs French and Spanish A-level courses to provide continuity for students.

To view a full summary of our KS3 and KS4 Modern Foreign Languages curriculum please click here for French

To view information about A-level French at the Green School Sixth Form please click here
To view information about A-level Spanish at the Green School Sixth Form please click here 

   CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION

How do we study Modern Foreign Languages? 

All lessons follow language courses with text books which support the teaching of the four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Lessons are interactive and encourage a variety of learning methods, which allow students to work on their own, in a pair or as part of a group. We pride ourselves in our energetic teaching methods and the wide cultural experience which we deliver.

Spiritual, Moral, Social Cultural

Spiritual

We teach students to accept and embrace other languages and cultures. We give them opportunities to reflect on beliefs and practices of diverse communities in various French. and Spanish speaking countries through the unit of Festivals, many of which are religious or religious in origin, but also through others.

Moral

We encourage our students to show empathy and understanding to others. We challenge stereotypes and intolerance through the teaching of language and morality. We tend to build a framework of moral values, which regulates their personal behaviour. In our language studies, they explore and analyse appropriate texts, books or movies, which furnish them with the knowledge and ability to question and reason, which enable them to develop their own value system and to make reasonable decisions on matters of personal integrity. Students develop an awareness that life throws up situations where what is right or wrong is not universally agreed. We ask pupils to reflect more on what brings people together rather than separating them.

Social

Students learn how to communicate and share ideas and opinions through class work, pair work and group work. All contributions are valued and respected to demonstrate respect, tolerance and cooperative learning. They communicate with a purpose with people from other cultures and societies. They explore different social conventions. We also reinforce this idea with our TGSG STEPS, STARS and MANNERS policy. They learn to work together and help each other. We promote social development and cohesion as a means of young people working together effectively and successfully in the community as a whole. It is about the development of the skills and personal qualities necessary for living and working together. It is about functioning effectively in a multi-racial, multi-cultural society.

Cultural

Cultural development and awareness are fundamental in language learning and students are encouraged to appreciate the similarities and differences between France, Spain and the United Kingdom. They can therefore compare with their own culture. We give them the opportunity to communicate with native speakers through a pen pal project, to participate in local visits or abroad, and to compete in a quiz on European Day of Languages. We take them through a Francophone World Tour for each unit / customs and facts about Hispanic countries, as well as celebrations of customs, traditions and festivals. We value our cultural diversity.

Presentation of Work 

We encourage students to take pride in their learning, and we often display their best work. Each student’s book should be neat and legible. Date,  title and objective of each lesson must be underlined. Each unit will start with a unit checklist for self- assessment and each end of unit has a feed forward sheet to allow for student reflection. When students are completing feed forward they must use green pen to feedback.

Home Learning

Home learning is set via Google Classroom as an effective means of communication. Home learning tasks may include learning of key vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, speaking strategies or an extended paragraph.

Co - curricular Activities

We offer a weekly speaking club in French and Spanish, as well as revision sessions for exam groups. We  plan trips to French destinations such as Le Touquet, and we run a well-established one-week residential programme to Malaga which includes daily tuition in a language school. A-level students also benefit from theatre visits. The school has regular links with Levallois in Paris, as well as a link with Vicente Espinel secondary school in Malaga.

CURRICULUM IMPACT

Assessment

Students at KS3 and KS4 are assessed at the end of each unit of learning, usually half-termly, in a variety of skills e.g. listening, speaking, reading or writing. Right from year 7 these assessments will gradually incorporate the format used at GCSE level. Year 10 students complete a formal, internal examination in all four skills, and year 11 have two examinations (November and February).

Outcomes

To view the impact of our curriculum please click here for our latest exam results and here for our student destinations.

Careers Leading on from Modern Foreign Languages

Choosing MFL at GCSE will enrich students' knowledge not only from a linguistic perspective, but also from a cultural one. Studying MFL could open up opportunities at renowned higher education institutions and lead to an exciting multicultural and international career. 

A language is an excellent addition to any set of skills and facilitates both work and study abroad. MFL helps students to understand other countries, peoples and cultures and could lead to further study at a higher level, such as A-level, where students have the opportunity to study literary and cinema works in their chosen language. Having one or two additional languages will widen the student chances of job opportunities both at home and abroad.

To view more information about our school Careers programme please click here.

 supporting the curriculum

How parents/carers can support their children

  • it is important that you engage your child with their language work
  • do encourage your child to teach you the new words they have learnt
  • regular, short revision sessions of vocabulary are more effective than long ones

Recommended Reading

French

Spanish

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