MFL
Aims and Vision for Curriculum
The Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at SAA fosters a love of language and curiosity of the wider world. Our aim is to broaden pupils’ horizons, encouraging them to step beyond familiar cultural boundaries thus improving their knowledge of other cultures, and thereby of their own.
The curriculum is designed so that pupils develop a broad and deep competency in the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing based on a sound foundation of core grammar, vocabulary and phonics. In the target language, they will be able to communicate personal and factual information, developing and justifying points of view as well as responding to people in both speech and writing.
As a department we believe that our curriculum goes beyond preparing our students for GCSE exams and summative assessments. Instead, it produces keen linguists and challenges parochialism by encouraging engagement with other cultures.
Developing Our Learners
We want our students to have a better appreciation and understanding of the culture linked to the language they are learning be it via the exploration of customs, celebrations, music, film and authentic texts or teachers own personal accounts.
We aim to develop key skills such as improving their knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in both their native tongue and in the language they are studying.
We also want to improve their ability to manipulate language both verbally and in the written format so they can hold short conversations and write short pieces expressing their views on a range of topics.
In addition to this we want to give students some practical skills they can take beyond the academic setting, such as; an understanding of food, directions, places in the town and other useful life skills that can be used when travelling abroad, such as hotel and restaurant bookings.
We want our students to become competent linguists who go on to travel and study languages at an advanced level.
Structure And Sequence
KS3 – We have put in place a balanced three year course that is in line with the expectations of the national curriculum. We develop a core learning of vocabulary through key topics and grammar that a student needs to build their linguistic skills. Through these topics we also introduce the students to the culture and customs of the country/countries of the language they are learning. We focus on core grammar that will aid the students to write and speak in different tenses and prepare them for their GCSE exams. We encourage independent learning via the use of Quizlet and Duolingo and we set homework through Languagenut.
Our aim is that these websites will support longer term memory retrieval. The assessment timetable ensures that the students are assessed throughout the year on the 4 skills. We encourage the students to take responsibility for their work and presentation and every half term we carry out a self-book check to encourage this.
KS4 - The topic areas and grammatical structures which are introduced at KS3, are building blocks for more in-depth learning at KS4. By the time they sit their GCSE our students will need to recognise and use up to 2000 words and use more complex language whilst also being accurate with the basics. We continue to use weekly vocab quizzes at KS4 to revisit and embed core KS3 vocabulary and structures and we are always connecting new vocabulary with previously seen language to aid this.
Our lessons include the four skills of language learning as well as the skills needed for the exam. Alongside the vocabulary learning there is a build-up of grammar using the correct terminology and making explicit links to English which is continuously revisited and explored in more detail throughout the 2 year KS4 course.
Destinations And The World Of Work
Learning a language contributes towards academic and personal growth. It gives us the skills to look at our own language and its use. It helps develop confidence and communication skills vital in any workplace. Understanding other cultures and people allows us to be better prepared to work with people from all over the globe. Having a global mind-set and cultural intelligence is a benefit in any workplace.
It is important to give the students the opportunity to challenge themselves with learning a language and increase their awareness of why languages are important. They learn to see languages as being recognised as an important skill by universities and employers and we aim for many of our talented linguists to study languages at a higher level, whether that is at A level or at university. Languages can lead to a range of exciting career opportunities.
