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Modern Foreign Languages
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Introduction
The Modern Foreign Language department offers students to opportunity to learn Spanish, the second most-spoken language in the world. Young people who have a second language are at a huge advantage in life. It opens doors to new friendships, gives them greater facility to learn extra languages and enables them to think both laterally and creatively.
Aims and Ethos
We aim to provide a fun and positive environment that engages students in developing their language learning skills. Our aim is to make learning enjoyable and to allow all of our students to experience other cultures through active learning, an engaging curriculum and research projects.
With skilled linguists in the department, we are committed to encourage pupils to use the target language with each other in pair or group work and to ensure that pupils are hearing authentic language each time they are in the MFL classroom. Within the MFL classroom we consistently emphasise that it is okay to make mistakes. We believe where pupils learn is in deciding how they move on from these errors. This open environment allows pupils to grow in confidence and not worry about speaking out in front of their peers, and to enjoy broadening their cultural references and in cultural understanding.
Expectations
The MFL department seeks to develop the following in all of our students:
Key Stage 3
- To be culturally aware and know that life and language is different in other parts of the world. They develop effective memory skills. Pupils develop an awareness of time frames.
- To see and apply patterns and think logically about new and previously acquired language in order to develop grammar knowledge and widen their vocabulary. Pupils practice the formation of past, present and future timeframes.
- To solve problems and can think of another way of doing or phrasing something. They are literate, communicating clearly in another language as well as their own and are increasingly open to new experiences and cultures. Pupils become more secure with the formation of past, present and future timeframes.
Key Stage 4
- Pupils are able to multi-task, often managing several skills at the same time. They are capable of performing well under pressure. Pupils master the formation of past, present and future timeframes including irregular verb forms.
- Pupils have highly developed listening skills, hearing the detail in communication. They are skilful communicators who value the importance of precision and accuracy. They are aware that having learnt a foreign language, they are able to use those skills to learn more languages. Pupils are able to communicate in all 4 skills with a robust knowledge of the past, present and future timeframes.
KS3
At Key Stage 3, students study a variety of different topics. Students start by discussing things in the first person, whilst using simple opinions and reasons. Throughout Year 8 and 9, these skills are reinforced and developed, including the use of the present, past and future tenses, as well as laying the foundations for sitting their GCSE examinations.
Assessment
Throughout Key Stage 3, students will be continuously assessed during lesson time. The aim of the assessments is to provide students with the opportunities to acquire and develop the skills that will prepare them for sitting the GCSE examinations. The assessed pieces of work will include:
- Translations (from English to Spanish and Spanish to English).
- Reading and Listening exercises.
- Short writing tasks (between 40 and 90 words)
- Role-play and Photo card speaking exams.
These assessments will be marked in line with the GCSE marking criteria, adapted for each year group.
Homework
Students will receive one piece of homework every 3 weeks. The homework will aim to consolidate and extend the students’ learning. Homework must be recorded in their school planner, with the correct instructions and deadlines.
The tasks will range from reading exercises, translations, short writing tasks and research assignments. It may also involve some online learning, via www.quizlet.com, or www.senecalearning.com.
On top of this, it is highly recommended that students spend some time revising the vocabulary learnt after every lesson, in order to make better progress.
GCSE
GCSE Spanish builds on the knowledge and skills acquired throughout Key Stage 3, with a range of topics which aim to expand students’ cultural knowledge.
Students will be tested in listening, reading, speaking and writing and will develop transferable skills, relevant to further study and the world of work. The range of topics aims to inspire students who are interested in Spanish culture and Spanish speaking countries.
Specification details
Please click here to view full information on the Edexcel GCSE Spanish specification.
Scheme of Assessment
The GCSE course is split into two tiers, Higher and Foundation. On the Higher tier, students can access grades from 3 to 9, and on the Foundation Tier, students can access grades from 1 to 5. Students must take all four question papers from the same tier.
All examinations will take place during the examination period towards the end of Year 11, starting with the speaking examination.
Visual Curriculum Map
Useful Links
The following are useful websites to help students with various aspects of the course.
www.spanishdict.com – Extremely useful for helping explain and practice the use of different tenses and grammar structures.
www.quizlet.com – An excellent online program that helps students to learn and revise relevant phrases and vocabulary
www.senecalearning.com – Another great, free online program that has ready-made courses for both Key Stage 3 and 4, covering all four skills.
