Welcome to the Modern Foreign Languages Department
Curriculum Information 2017 - 2018

The Team:

Teachers of French and Spanish
Mrs J Blitz
Mrs C Heslop

@eggarsmfl

Introduction to the Department:

In the MFL Department we aim to:

• Develop the ability to understand and use the chosen foreign language effectively for the purposes of practical communication.
• Develop the ability to use the chosen language and to understand the language used both imaginatively and creatively.
• Develop an understanding of the grammar of the chosen language.
• Offer insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries and communities that speak the chosen language.
• Encourage positive attitudes to foreign language learning and to speakers of foreign languages and a positive approach to other cultures and civilisations.
• Develop students’ understanding of themselves and their own culture.
• Provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation.
• Form a sound base of skills, language and attitude required for further study, work and leisure.
• Promote skills, which have a wider application such as information technology, and learning skills (e.g. analysis, memorising, drawing inference).

Key Stage 3 Information:

Year 7
Students study French for three 50 minute lessons per week following the MFL National Curriculum. In addition to developing a range of language learning skills students will: learn some geographical facts about France; learn about everyday life in France; use authentic materials; listen to some French songs and learn about some French customs and greetings.

Year 8
Students will be grouped by ability in 2 half year blocks based on their performance in Year 7. Students will study French for three 50 minute lessons per week following the MFL National Curriculum. In addition to developing a range of language learning skills students will: learn some historical facts about France; learn about some famous French people and some famous French people in History; find out about the interests of young French people; look at some simple French stories, poems or songs and learn some French slang expressions.

Key Stage 4 Information:

Examination Board used:
We follow the AQA exam board.

Qualification to be obtained:
GCSE French
GCSE Spanish

Course content:
The themes and topics on which the course is based come under 3 theme titles:

• Identity and Culture
• Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest
• Current and Future Study and Employment

Course objectives:
The principal objective of the course is to develop each student’s ability to use the French or Spanish language effectively for purposes of practical communication through both the spoken and written word.  In lessons students are encouraged to speak the target language at every opportunity and there are weekly learning home-works to improve their vocabulary.  Students are also taught about the culture of either France or Spain and are encouraged to take an interest in European current affairs.

Assessment:
Assessment for the GCSE course comprises four elements:
A final writing examination                                          25% of the final grade
A final speaking examination                                      25% of the final grade
A final reading examination                                         25% of the final grade
A final listening examination                                       25% of the final grade

Students may be entered for either Foundation or Higher tier but not both.

GCSE students will be assessed regularly throughout the year.

5 Year Curriculum Overview:

2017/18	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3
Y7	Self, family & friends	School, clothes, routine	House, town, technology
Y8	Holiday	Leisure	Food and health
Y9	Self, family & relationships	Freetime & new technologies	Social issues, health & lifestyle
Y10	Education & work	House, town & the environment	Holidays
Y11	Other social & global issues	Revision	Revision

5 Year Assessment Overview:

2017/18	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3
Y7	Writing, Peer Speaking Reading, Listening	Speaking Reading, Listening	Writing Reading, Listening
Y8	Writing Reading, Listening	Speaking Reading, Listening	Writing, Speaking Reading, Listening
Y9	Writing, Speaking (photocards) Reading (translation), Listening	Translation, Speaking (conversation) Listening	Writing Reading, Listening
Y10	Speaking (conversation) Reading, Listening	Writing Reading, Listening	Mock Speaking Reading, Listening
Y11	Mock Speaking, Writing Listening, Reading	Writing Reading, Listening