Curriculum

Modern Foreign Languages

| Education | Curriculum | Modern Foreign Languages

The study of Modern Foreign Languages helps to develop pupils’ cultural awareness, teaches them the fundamentals of communicating effectively in a foreign language, and equips them with the skills they need to progress to a global marketplace.

Pupils will learn how to convey vital information about themselves, their families and their lives, and will also master essential phrases, such as how to ask for directions, order food, and organise social engagements. Pronunciation and grammar will be key components of the course, ensuring pupils are able to communicate through both spoken and written mediums.

Pupils will also learn a variety of valuable transferrable skills whilst undertaking a MFL, such as communication, problem-solving, creativity, ICT, literacy, numeracy and performance skills.

As a Department, we are committed to making language learning a positive, enjoyable experience through a variety of teaching and learning activities.

Pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11 can choose whether to study French or Spanish. Studying a language at GCSE level allows our pupils to access the English Baccalaureate. 

Curriculum Overview

Year 7 (French and Spanish) Year 8 (French and Spanish)
  • Greetings
  • Classroom instructions
  • Numbers and alphabet
  • Family
  • My town
  • Rooms and furniture
  • Time and weather
  • Daily routine
  • Grammar
  • School
  • Food
  • Hobbies
  • Translation tasks throughout the year
  • Me, my family and friends
  • Relationships with family and friends
  • Home and town
  • Neighbourhood and regions
  • My studies
  • Free time activities
  • Customs and festivals in French and Spanish-speaking countries
  • Translation tasks throughout the year
Year 9 (French and Spanish) Year 10 (French and Spanish) Year 11
  • Life at school/college
  • Travel and tourism
  • Education Post-16
  • Social issues
  • Healthy/unhealthy living
  • Marriage/partnership
  • Technology in everyday life
  • Social media
  • Grammar and translation
  • Spontaneity in writing and speech
  • Translation tasks throughout the year
  • Global issues
  • The environment
  • Social issues
  • Charity/voluntary work
  • Career choices and ambitions
  • Technology in everyday life
  • Social media
  • Mobile technology
  • Poverty and homelessness
  • Revisions and speaking preparations
  • Translation tasks throughout the year
 N/A – Pupils complete a GCSE in a Modern Foreign Language in Year 10

Assessment

Internal assessments take place every half-term.

KS4 Exam Board Specification (Year 9 and 10): AQA GCSE Spanish (8698) or AQA GCSE French (8658)

Enrichment Offer

Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model. The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits and residential trips abroad throughout the year. Pupils benefit from a lunchtime language club, a French/Spanish movie lunch club and theatre company visits.

Useful Resources and Revision Support