Languages open doors!

To learn a language is a life skill that plays an essential part in becoming a true global citizen. The internet and travel make the world seem a smaller place but it is our communication with other countries that gives us a wider understanding of the world we live in. We aim to inspire pupils to use the languages we teach with confidence and be open to learning new languages.  The skills gained by learning a language complement other curriculum areas and are viewed favourably by employers and universities.

 

Key Stage 3

Units of work, grouping of students, assessment and expected standards

The KS3 curriculum is structured to enable pupils to develop skills and linguistic competence within a range of topic areas.

 

Grouping

Year 7       All pupils study French and German in mixed ability classes for 4 x 50 minute lessons per week.  There is provision after consultation with the Special Needs Department for a small number to receive curriculum support in place of the second foreign language.

 

Year 8       Pupils study French and German for 4 x 50 minute lessons per week.  There is continued provision for a small number to receive curriculum support in place of the second foreign language.  The year group is split into X and Y Band.  In each band, there is a top set, and sometimes a second set, selected on Year 7 performance, the other classes are in mixed ability groups with the exception of a support group in each band. Groupings are reviewed throughout the year.

 

Year 9       Pupils in set 1 and set 2 continue to study French and German for 4 x 50 minute lessons per week. Mixed ability classes concentrate on either French or German for 4 x 50 minute lessons per week. There is provision after consultation with the Special Needs Department for a small number to receive curriculum support in place of some of their language lessons.

 

Assessment

KS3 pupils will be assessed during the course of, and sometimes at the end of, each unit of work. We will assess different skill areas at different times (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Pupils’ performance in these assessments combined with their work in class and homework will be used to decide which level they are working at.

On the annual report students are currently given a National Curriculum Level. This will be based on work throughout the year.  As a broad indication, some pupils could expect to achieve up to level 4 by the end of Year 7, level 6- by the end of Year 8 and up to level 7 by the end of Year 9.

 

Units of work: Year 7

• Self and Family

• School

• Hobbies

 

Units of work: Year 8

• Leisure Time

• House and Home

•Town and Local Area

 

Units of work: Year 9

• Travel and Tourism

• Healthy Lifestyles

• Media

•Environment

 

Key Stage 4

Units of work, grouping of students, assessment and expected standards

 Pupils have the opportunity to continue with French and/or German GCSE in KS4. In addition, pupils may choose to study Italian or Spanish GCSE. 

 

Grouping

The majority of pupils study a language, most continue with French and/or German. Pupils may choose to study Spanish or Italian. Pupils can study a combination of the languages on offer. Certification is through EDEXCEL GCSE.

In French and German, pupils are set by ability. In Spanish and Italian, class sizes are usually smaller and pupils are taught in mixed ability groups.

 

GCSE Languages

Units of work

Pupils will cover a range of vocabulary and structures in the following topic areas:

Media and Culture

Sport and Leisure

Travel and Tourism

Business, Work and Employment

Future plans and Education

 

Assessment

Pupils will continue to develop the four language skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and writing.  The Listening and Reading are assessed separately by terminal examination.  The Speaking and Writing are assessed through controlled assessments.

 

The form of the assessments:

Most instructions and questions in all papers will be in English.

 

1. In the Reading and Listening, most tasks are of the multiple-choice, matching and sequencing type.  There are only a few questions in the target language, mainly at Higher level. (40%)

Pupils can be entered at either Foundation or Higher level in each separate skill area.  The level at which pupils are entered is based on progress during the course.

 

2. In the Speaking, pupils will be assessed using two of the following tasks: a short presentation followed by questions: a discussion based on a picture: an extended role play. (30%)

 

3. In the Writing, pupils will need to complete two pieces of coursework.  The tasks cover a variety of topic areas. (30%)

 

Pupils are assessed in the Speaking and Writing by controlled assessment throughout a course.  Tasks in the Speaking and Writing are not split into Foundation and Higher level. Information about controlled assessment and assessment deadlines will vary for each language. Controlled assessments are conducted by the class teacher.  Pupils will have up to four lessons of formal preparation prior to completing their final assessment.  Controlled assessments in Writing have to be completed in a one hour lesson. Controlled assessments in Speaking will last up to six minutes.

 

Spanish

Pupils are offered the opportunity to study Spanish as a second or third foreign language from scratch in Year 10. Pupils may progress to GCSE at Foundation or Higher level.  

 

Italian

A small number of pupils may be offered the opportunity to study Italian GCSE.

 

Latin

Pupils who have taken the opportunity to learn Latin from Year 8 may be given the opportunity to complete a Latin GCSE in Year 10.

 

Home Learning Opportunities

In MFL it is important to set homework:

• To give pupils the opportunity to consolidate/improve/extend their classroom learning

• To enable pupils to carry out more independent tasks

• To help pupils develop independent learning skills

• To allow pupils to use their preferred way of working/learning to complete tasks

 

Homework is set according to the school guidelines and appropriate to the ability of the group. 
Types of task may include:

• vocabulary learning/online websites

• completing worksheets

• grammar exercises

• memorising for assessments (speaking and writing)

• research

• written work/creative writing

• reading

 

Homework builds progressively from Year 7 to Year 11:

• Year 7 and 8, approximately 30 minutes per week

• Year 9, approximately 45 minutes per week

• Years 10 and 11, at least 45 minutes per week but this would increase during preparation for controlled assessment tasks

 

Gifted and Talented Provision in MFL

Gifted linguists are identified using the following criteria:

• ease in memorising large quantities of material using previously learnt strategies

• ability to work independently and to take own learning forward

• proactive in asking relevant questions and following up leads

• ability to spot patterns and make connections resulting in spontaneous language

• understanding of, and ability to use, concepts such as verb tenses and case endings consistently

 

KS3

The following activities are taking place at present or have been offered through our extension and enrichment programme:

• Language clubs in German, Mandarin Arabic and Greek

• Supervised use of IT facilities at lunch time to broaden range of languages experienced and allow pupils to manage their own learning.  At present we offer the following languages:  French, German, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, Japanese, Russian and Chinese

• Year 8 Latin taster sessions over ten weeks with the opportunity to continue

• Year 9 Latin tuition

• Year 9 Mandarin in MFL curriculum time

• Inter School MFL Speaking Competition

• Pop Video Competition

• French Theatre company visits

• MFL based visits to Combe Martin Wildlife Park

• Extended Project in French or German as part of the Able at Pilton provision

 

KS4

The following curriculum options are available:

 

• Spanish: Higher level GCSE after only 5 terms, building on skills already developed in French and German

• Second or third language in extra curricular time, leading to GCSE Higher level

• Latin GCSE in extra curricular time, leading to a GCSE in Year 10

 

We provide support for our most able linguists during curriculum time in the following ways:

 

• All MFL groups are allocated time in L2, our dedicated MFL computer suite, throughout the year.  Differentiated materials are available and able linguists are able to work on grammar and vocabulary tasks outside the normal KS3 and KS4 curriculum.

• Contact time with our Foreign Language Assistants at KS4 allows able linguists to develop extended responses and widen vocabulary areas.

• A structured programme of revision sessions for Year 10 and Year 11 examination candidates is designed to highlight the skills necessary for the highest grades.

 

The following activities are taking place at present or have been offered through our extension programme:

 

• Programme of visiting speakers from Higher Education and Industry

• Work experience involving MFL knowledge

• Joint activities with able pupils from other schools

• Transition programme with Petroc MFL Department