Modern Foreign Languages
Welcome to the Modern Foreign Languages Department page, I am Mr Del Rosario, Head of Department for MFL and one of the Spanish teachers. Our excellent department consists of two subjects, French and Spanish and four great teachers.
According to Sir Trevor McDonald, we should not assume that we can get by in English or that everyone else will speak our language. Learning a foreign language is polite, demonstrates commitment – and in today’s world is absolutely necessary.
Recently the British Chamber of Commerce said “In the 21st century, speaking only English is as much a disadvantage as speaking no English”. The UK stands to lose 48 billion pounds of business due to a lack of language skills.
The study of a foreign language enables pupils to understand and appreciate different countries, culture, people and communities. It promotes moral development through helping pupils to formulate and express opinions and cultural development through providing insights into cultural similarities and differences. Learning languages opens up new opportunities in future careers.
Please follow the links below to the modern foreign languages curriculum intent and curriculum summary:
Modern foreign languages curriculum intent
Please follow the links below to the modern foreign languages key stage 3 (years 7, 8 and 9) curriculum:
French key stage 3 curriculum
Spanish key stage 3 curriculum
In Year 7, students are taught in mixed ability tutor groups. Three of these groups (W, L, R) study French and the other three groups (M, D, F) study Spanish. We aim to provide continuity from primary language learning and to accommodate bilingual students. We use the Studio textbooks in French, and Viva in Spanish. By the end of the year, most students will be working at step 3 or 4.
In Year 8, we aim to integrate tutor groups to allow students to work with students from other tutor groups. The curriculum becomes more grammar based and is starting to prepare students for the rigour of the GCSE specification.
In Year 9, students continue to improve their grammar and accuracy. They learn how to extend their sentences and paragraphs. Year 9 students are strongly encouraged to take the language that they studied in year 7, 8 and 9 as one of their GCSE options.
