Our vision for our MFL curriculum
INTENT
The aim of the Modern Languages Department is to:
Create inquisitive linguists who have a thirst for learning about the world around them.
Create effective communicators who use language to break down cultural barriers.
Encourage analytical thought and the use of linguistic knowledge to solve problems and work out meaning from contexts.
Provide opportunities to expand young people’s horizons and ambitions.
IMPLEMENTATION
KS3
At KS3, teaching focus needs to be on productive language skills - mainly speaking with some writing. Receptive skills will be taught to consolidate vocabulary learnt. By the end of Key Stage 3, students will be able to communicate effectively and spontaneously with others in the target language. A specific focus will also be on asking and answering questions and talking creatively about a visual stimulus. They will also be able to use three tenses and justify their opinions using a range of structures which will provide them with the skills needed to ensure a smooth transition onto the KS4 curriculum.
To facilitate this, by the end of Year 7, students need to master:
Key language concepts (word for word translations don’t always work) and grammatical terminology (infinitive, verb, conjugation, 1st and 3rd person singular / plural, noun, preposition, past participle, adjective, adverb, pronoun, relative pronouns), phonics and phoneme and grapheme links, translation skills into and from the TL.
Vocabulary - Students need to accept and be willing to learn vocabulary often which will be assessed in class.
Grammar: Haben / sein, avoir / être / Structures of two tenses in the first person and recognition of the third person and plural forms. Simple subordinate clauses and a range of adjectives to describe people and give opinions, negative articles.
KS 3 German
Year 8 Curriculum Overview
KS 3 French
Years 7 and 8 Curriculum Overview French
By the end of Year 8, students need to build on their knowledge from Year 7 in order to master:
Translation skills into and from the TL using longer texts which will increase cultural awareness.
Grammar: Irregular verbs in the present tense, Future and perfect tense conjugations and use the modal verbs können / pouvoir / mögen / vouloir in the first, second and third person singular, a wider variety of adjectives and use extended sentences to form justified opinions.
Vocabulary - Students need to accept and be willing to learn vocabulary often which will be assessed in class.
KS4
At Key Stage 4, teaching needs to build on prior knowledge acquired during KS3. Pupils will be taught how to communicate in more sophisticated ways. They will consolidate their knowledge of the three main tenses (Present, Perfect and Future). All students will be taught and have an awareness of other tenses (conditional, subjunctive, pluperfect, imperfect and passive). Higher candidates will need to master at least two of these additional tenses. They will acquire more in depth knowledge of the Geography and Culture of France and Germany through the learning of festivals, holiday destinations and important landmarks. They will have more exposure to exam style questioning and the skills needed to be successful.
By the end of Year 9, students will be able to form more complex opinions using a wider range of structures in order to describe, narrate and inform on the topics of - School, Freetime and Friends and Family.
Grammar: Present, Perfect and Imperfect tenses, relative pronouns, modal verbs, separable and reflexive verbs, a wider range of adjectives to describe people and activities.
Translation skills into and from the TL.
The development of picture-based tasks for developing writing and speaking skills.
Developing how to read and listen for detail and working out meanings from different contexts.
By the end of Year 10, students will be confident using the three main tenses and higher candidates will be able to use the conditional confidently. They will have consolidated their skills in order to describe, narrate and inform on the topics of - Daily life at home and at school, Holidays and local area.
Grammar: (German) Nominative, Accusative, Dative and Genitive cases, Conditional and Future tenses
Translation skills into and from the TL.
The development of picture-based tasks for developing writing and speaking skills.
Developing how to read and listen for detail and working out meanings from different contexts. Students will also be exposed to literary texts and recognising the imperfect tense.
By the end of Year 11, the focus will be on consolidating the skills learnt and developing their knowledge of vocabulary on the topics of - World of Work and Global and International Issues.
An emphasis will be placed on ensuring that students are actively revising and producing language from the previous years in order to be successful in the Speaking and Writing components of the course.
Reading and Listening skills will be practised
Through the above activities, the grammar aspects of the course will be further revisited and consolidated.
IMPACT
KS3
By the end of Key Stage 3, through regular and standardised assessments, students will be equipped with the skills necessary to communicate effectively in the Target Language through the use different tenses and extended sentences. They will be able to justify their opinions on a variety of topic areas and will also have an awareness of different cultural aspects of France and Germany. They will have acquired the necessary skills to bridge the gap between the two Key Stages.
KS4
Progress is assessed throughout KS4 through the use of regular and standardised assessments in all 4 skills. Students will also have the opportunity to practice their speaking skills in formal mock exams at the end of Year 10 and during the Autumn and Spring terms of Year 11. There will also be formal mock exams for the other three skills in Year 11.
All these assessments require revision and recall skills and the effective use of home learning opportunities.
