Curriculum Intent
We strive for all students studying Modern Foreign Languages at Werneth to open up to other cultures and foster curiosity about the wider world. To also enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language. It helps them to develop their ability to communicate, including key skills of speaking and listening and extends their knowledge of how language works. Learning another language gives students a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others. The natural links between languages and other areas of the curriculum can enrich the overall teaching and learning experience.
Curriculum Features
By the end of KS3 students will be able to:
- Use and apply the skills in the four key domains: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
- Apply the deciphering skills of understanding a new language and code breaking unfamiliar language from a variety of sources, including authentic material.
- Build a vocabulary of linguistic terminology which supports in categorising features of language both in French and in English.
- Build up skills of grammar in a confident and coherent manner.
- Discuss various Francophone cultures with relation to food, education, politics and history.
- Develop awareness of the real-life application of languages in society and the workplace.
- Acknowledge how their skills can be transferred to both their own language and additional languages they may learn in the future.
Co-curriculum Enrichment
MFL offers a wide host of cross-curricular links to other subjects as well as reinforcing vocabulary and key terminology used in English. For example, with Geography, focusing on different cultures, occupations within these cultures, colonies and the importance of different languages spoken in different countries. In History, we have natural links, covering areas such as what leads a country to speak the language that it does. We cover historical events such as the French Revolution, the Vietnam War and the topic of Colonisation. We explore ideas within RE such as the issue of secularity in France and the impact that has on society, this then offers up larger debate questions on the influence of religion on a culture and a language. In our cultural modules, we link closely to artists and movements studied in art, media and the performing arts such as Robert Desnos and Henri Rousseau.
Overview
The MFL team at Werneth are committed to delivering languages in an engaging way to all students. Teaching is delivered by a team of four, all of whom have a wealth of international experience.
Year 7, 8 and Year 9
At Key Stage 3 students embrace varied lesson content developing their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Much emphasis is placed on the spoken word in the classroom enabling students to communicate confidently. Students will cover many interesting topics such as home and school life, the wider world and different cultures, food and drink, fashion, media, holidays and festivals. Intercultural understanding is also important to our students in the context of language learning. Currently all our Yr7, 8 and 9 students study French. In Year 9 students can choose to take German and Spanish in their choices.
GCSE
Currently students have been learning French, German or Spanish in Year 9 and they can continue with these language studies to Key Stage 4. We follow the AQA exam specification. Again, there is emphasis on speaking skills, harnessed from Key Stage 3 learning. The new GCSE course is split into three main topic areas – 1) Identity and Culture 2) Local, national, international and global areas of interest and 3) Current and future study and employment. Students will be assessed across the four key skills (25% each) at the end of the course. Language learning is fun and interactive, embracing all of our learners and equipping them to take their languages further either for study or pleasure.
Fundamental British Values are promoted throughout schemes of work in both KS3 and KS4.
Enrichment
The MFL team are keen to promote activities outside the classroom, in order to enhance language learning. Each year our Spanish students go into Manchester for an authentic Spanish meal experience and we also run Christmas market trips. In July we travel to France and Germany on the European Tour trip for KS3 students. We welcome a variety of external speakers into school to promote languages throughout the year and hold international breakfasts, taster sessions and workshops.
Any enquiries about Modern Language can be made by emailing the address below...