Modern Foreign Languages

Students will study a variety of topics including family, friendship and relationship, hobbies and interests, use of technology, local food and customs and schooling. Throughout the three-year course, they will develop and be assessed in all four skills areas (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing) to prepare them for the end of Key Stage 3 and future GCSE study in their language.

Students will work independently and in groups. They will be supported by using a variety of interactive learning websites, such as Kerboodle, AQA Exampro, Seneca and Kahoot. We also have MFL Ipads to engage learners in a more interactive and competitive way.

In the MFL department, we are using the new AQA GCSE exam board and students are assessed in all four skills.

Each skill is equally weighted and assessed by terminal exam. There is a separate speaking exam which includes a picture-based conversation, a role-play and two conversations (one on a pre-selected topic, the other on a different topic studied throughout the course). Reading, Listening and Writing are assessed in a formal written exam at the end of year 11.

The new AQA GCSE Specification covers 3 distinct ‘Themes’. These themes are split into teaching topics as detailed below:

Theme 1: Identity and culture

• Me, my family and friends (relationships, marriage, partnership)
• Technology in everyday life (social media, mobile phones)
• Free time activities (music, cinema, TV, food, sport, hobbies)
• Customs and festivals (traditions, celebrations, commercialisation)

Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

• Home, town, neighbourhood and region
• Social issues (charity/voluntary work, [un]healthy living)
• Global issues (the environment, poverty, homelessness)
• Travel and tourism (weather, holidays)

Theme 3: Current and future study and employment

• My studies (subjects, teachers, homework)
• Life at school/college (trips, experiences, English school system compared with other countries)
• Education post-16 (college, apprenticeships, employment)
• Career choices and ambitions (using languages in future)

The A-level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity, which are valuable to the individual and society. The content is suitable for students who wish to progress to employment or further study, including a modern languages degree. The subject content areas are as follow:

Social issues and trends

Students will study the following themes and sub-themes in relation to at least one French-speaking country. Students must study the themes and sub-themes using a range of sources, including material from online media.

Political and artistic culture

Students will study the themes and sub-themes below in relation to at least one French-speaking country.

Grammar

Students will study the grammatical system and structures of the language during their course.

Works

Students must study either one text and one film or two texts from the list given by the exam board.

Individual research project

Students must identify a subject or a key question which is of interest to them and which relates to a country or countries where French is spoken. They must select relevant information in French from a range of sources including the internet. The aim of the research project is to develop research skills. Students will demonstrate their ability to initiate and conduct individual research by analysing and summarising their findings, in order to present and discuss them in the speaking assessment.