Welcome to the MFL Department

Our pupils learn a language for profit and enjoyment, to develop intellectual capacity, use language in a real –life situations during visits abroad and via ICT, and will have a knowledge of language structure and vocabulary to equip them for language use later in adult life. Confidence and enjoyment in using languages is our goal for every pupil.

Our aim is to raise achievement in modern foreign languages and within the formal and “hidden” curriculum in general. Our mission statements for the modern Language department are “toujours plus haut” – aim high and strive for excellence. Our teaching and learning programmes and strategies and educational philosophy within the department team reflect this.

Our perception is that it should:

• Provide pupils with the ability to use languages effectively for practical communication;

• Provide a sound foundation for language skills, an understanding of how language “works” and a positive attitude to language study required for further study, work and leisure;

• Offer insights and experience of the values, beliefs, culture and civilisation of countries where studied languages are spoken, as well as insights and interest in language and culture of countries across the globe;

• Develop an awareness of the nature of language and language learning skills;

• Provide enjoyment, intellectual stimulation and a sense of real achievement;

• Encourage positive attitudes to language learning;

• Promote learning skills which support the wider curriculum – eg. deduction and analysis, problem-solving, information retrieval, memorising for short and long term use, drawing of inferences;

• Develop understanding of the pupil's own culture and understanding of themselves in the International World.

 

Together with the study of English and appropriate community languages, modern foreign language study contributes to the general curriculum by:

• combining linguistic skills with personal and social development;

• providing a variety of opportunities and authentic tasks and contexts to develop Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing skills;

• bringing a new perspective to pupils' perception of language and English study enabling them to compare and contrast to sharpen their understanding of concepts in both languages;

• providing increased awareness of the relationship and discrimination of sounds and rhythms in speech;

• promoting valuable study skills – e.g. intensive and extensive listening and reading skills; predicting, selecting, comparing and interpreting information; collaborative and independent working; writing for different purposes;

• developing pupils' awareness of cross-curricular themes and skills; communication, co-operation, developing creative and imaginative skills; vocational skills; multi-cultural perspectives, citizenship; economic and industrial understanding;

• supporting ICT skills and use;

• increasing pupils' self-confidence and providing a sense of achievement; encouraging them to follow and gain from the provision of short, medium and long-term goals.

Staff

• Dr L. Bonelli, Assistant Head Teacher
• Ms O. Cousins, Curriculum Leader Languages
• Mr S. Rebillard
• Ms N Boggi
• Mr G. Sauvajon
• Mrs P. Trotman, Language College Manager
• Ms I. Vujicic, Spanish Leader
• Ms A McKee
• Ms S Mitchell

FLAs

Foreign Language assistants will teach KS5 students on a weekly basis and help them with the preparation of their oral examinations as well as developing their cultural awareness.
At KS4, FLAs will work on a one to one basis and help students prepare their oral GCSE exams.
At KS3, they will take small groups out of class and practise/reinforce their speaking skills.

Expectations

Equipment: The MFL Department recommends parents to buy dictionary for pupil to use when doing homework.

Exercise books and pupil files

Every teacher will be given exercise bocks at the beginning of the year. These should be issued to pupils. Before a new book is issued, teachers must ensure that all available space has been filled, and a new book should not be given until all pages have been used. Lost exercise books must be paid for before a new one is issued.

Teaching areas

The MFL department’s teaching rooms and resource bases are situated on the top floor of the main Convent building. The staff timetables indicate the relevant teaching bases. Each classroom is carpeted, well-equipped and resourced with an interactive white board and cassette recorder. Most classrooms have a television. There is an MFL ICT suite where students go on a regular basis.

Key Stage 3 (Year 7- 9)

Students follow the National Curriculum Programmes of Study through the teaching of texts put together to follow the QCA schemes of work for Key Stage 3.

In French, the following texts are used:
Year 7  Voila 1
Year 8  Voila 2 fonce (sets 1 and 2) Voila 2 clair (set 3)
Year 9 Metro 4 rouge/vert (set 1 fast-track) Metro 3 rouge (set 2) Metro 3 vert (set 3)

In Spanish, the following texts are used therefore:
Year 8  Listos 1
Year 9  Listos 2 rojo

Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11)

Key stage 4 core courses are as follows:

• French: Metro
• Spanish: Listos and Caminos
• Italian: Amici    

 

Scheme of Work

Overview of the Modern Foreign Languages at the Convent

Key Stage 3 (Year 7- 9)

All pupils study two languages at KS3. From Year 7, all students study French as their first foreign language for 2 periods a week. In year 8 they are offered Spanish or Italian for a further 2 periods a week.
In Year 7, students study only French 2 periods a week.  In Year 8 students start either Spanish or Italian depending on which half of the year they are in. Students can continue with both subjects up to GCSE and currently French and Spanish to A2. We hope to be able to offer Italian soon too.

The key stages 3 and 4 National Curriculum programmes of study have four attainment targets:

• AT1 LISTENING AND RESPONDING
• AT2 SPEAKING
• AT3 READING AND RESPONDING
• AT4 WRITING

 
The programme of study for key stages 3 and 4 consists of two parts which should be taught together:

Part I: Learning and Using the Target Language

This covers the skills and understanding that should be developed through the target language at both key stages.

1. Communicating in the target language.
2. Language skills.
3. Language-learning skills and knowledge of language.
4. Cultural awareness.

 

Part II: Areas of Experience

 
This sets out the broad topic areas that provide contexts for learning and using the target language at each key stage. In key stage 3, pupils should study areas of experience A, B and C.

1. Everyday Activities.
2. Personal and Social Life.
3. The World around Us.

 
A detailed description of Parts I and II can be seen below.

Use of these core texts is detailed within the schemes of work sections.

Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11)

Modern foreign language study is compulsory for all pupils in key stage 4. All pupils study French for 3 periods per week as a full course GCSE. Other language options include Spanish and Italian as a second MFL. All language courses lead to the award of GCSE. Pupils are entered for Foundation or Higher Tier examination papers as appropriate. There is a 100% entry policy for all Year 11 pupils in modern foreign languages. Disapplication may only be sanctioned by the Head teacher.

The examination board taken is AQA for French and Spanish and Edxecel for Italian. From September 2006 Italian exams will also be taken with AQA. French and Spanish follow the Modular GCSE course whilst Italian follows the linear one. All pupils taking GCSE examinations have a coursework element instead of a formal writing terminal examination paper. This examination course is more suited to our pupils and the coursework element provides a better opportunity for pupils to show what they know and can do, with confidence.
From September 2006, we look forward to offering a French Applied GCSE with Leisure and Tourism which will be better suited for some of our students.

EAL students are encouraged to sit an exam in their native language early (from Year 8/9). Girls take their GCSE/GCE in French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Polish, Arabic and Greek.

There are many supplementary texts and materials available to support core text teaching.

Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13)

French and Spanish are currently offered at AS and A level. A-Level students are taught for 5 periods a week. They also have 1 period a week with a foreign language assistant.

French AS and A Level students are entered for Edxecel examinations whilst Spanish students are entered for OCR examinations. The following components are currently taught:

Unit 1               listening and writing paper                     15%
Unit 2               reading and writing paper                      20%
Unit 3               prepared oral topic                               15%
Unit 4               oral discussion of issues                        15%
Unit 5               coursework                                          15%
Unit 6               synoptic paper                          20%

Although the study of a modern foreign language is no longer compulsory in the Language College Sixth Form, the curriculum offers students enrichment classes in Spanish and Italian.