Modern Foreign Languages
Head of Department: Mr Finneran
Exam board: Pearson
Course codes:1FR0 / 1SP0
Link to specifications:
Curriculum Aims
Our vision for the Modern Foreign Languages department here at Ark Greenwich Free School is one based on strong academic tradition, with a modern, relevant and culturally interesting twist. It is imperative that students leave Ark Greenwich Free School confident in their ability to communicate articulately in a number of foreign languages. Pupils should equally be provided with a toolkit of strategies to support them in their language learning skills. The interpersonal skills that they will gain through learning languages at GFS will enable pupils to take and develop these skills in any of their future endeavors. It is essential that Ark Greenwich Free School linguists are well rounded individuals, confident in their ability, and able to use their linguistic knowledge to expand their horizons. MFL is a compulsory subject and will be studied until Year 11.
“Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own.”
‒Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Curriculum Power Standards
1. Use PALMW/PHOTOGRAPH when describing a photo.
2. Use POINT to structure a paragraph.
3. Use EQUATACO throughout a response.
4.Use the 5 listening strategies consistently.
5. Use the 5 reading strategies consistently.
Key Stage 3 curriculum
Our aim at Key Stage 3 is to ensure we provide all our students with the necessary tools and foundations to build upon at Key Stage 4. Students in Year 7 will be allocated a language as a form group and will continue with this until Year 11. We instill a love for languages through our passionate and highly skilled specialist teachers and ensure students understand the importance and appreciation of a language in an increasingly globalised society.
Year 7:
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Content covered |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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Term 1 |
- Reactions to a range of topics (Including the introduction of POINT) - Giving opinions on a range of topics - Narrating events - Reacting spontaneously to a range of questions |
Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term 2 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term3 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
Year 8:
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Content covered |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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French |
Spanish |
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Term 1 |
- Reactions to a range of topics (Including the introduction of POINT) - Giving opinions on a range of topics - Narrating events - Reacting spontaneously to a range of questions |
- Reactions to a range of topics (Including the introduction of POINT) - Giving opinions on a range of topics - Narrating events
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term 2 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term3 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
KS3 Revision & Independent Learning
In Modern Foreign Languages students are advised and encouraged to revise regularly in order to obtain the content learnt in lessons. Students have weekly vocabulary tests from Quizlet based on the powerful knowledge as part of the daily review. Students should use revision strategies such as look, cover, write, check; revision cards; recording themselves talking; online websites; revision maps; and knowledge organisers to name a few. Students are also encouraged to use these techniques before the end of term assessments. Students will be given dedicated revision sessions before the exams and look at exam technique and exemplar exam questions to aid with their revision.
Key stage 4 curriculum
In Key Stage 4 students follow the Edexcel GCSE specification. These topics are taught from the beginning of year 9 so all topics can be covered thoroughly and for maximum exposure. Students will then have the chance to revise these topics in year 11 prior to their GCSE exams. Lessons include the five skills of listening, reading, writing, speaking and translation and we focus on ensuring students communicate effectively and confidently in their language. It is our aim to inspire pupils so that they extend and pursue language learning beyond their time with us and prepare them to be competent global citizens though their knowledge of languages and appreciation of foreign cultures.
Year 9:
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Topics |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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French |
Spanish |
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Term 1 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term 2 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term3 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
Year 10:
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Topics |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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French |
Spanish |
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Term 1 |
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- Can I talk about the extracurricular opportunities in school? |
Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term 2 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term3 |
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
Year 11:
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Topics |
What is being assessed in the end of term exam |
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French |
Spanish |
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Term 1 |
Identity & culture Local area, holiday & travel
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Identity & culture Local area, holiday & travel
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term 2 |
School Future aspirations, study & work
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School Future aspirations, study & work
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
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Term3 |
International and global dimension
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International and global dimension
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Knowledge and understanding of the content, assessed through: Listening exam Reading exam Writing exam Speaking exam |
KS4 Revision & Independent Learning
Students are provided with revision guides and workbooks when they begin KS4 as well as a revision calendar to aid with their revision timetables. Students are provided with a wealth of revision materials every term and are encouraged to attend revision sessions after school for extra support. Intervention sessions run weekly for all year 11 students. Students have weekly vocabulary tests from Quizlet based on the powerful knowledge as part of the daily review. Students should use revision strategies such as look, cover, write, check; revision cards; recording themselves talking; online websites; revision maps; and knowledge organisers to name a few. Students are also encouraged to use these techniques before the end of term assessments. Students will be given dedicated revision sessions before the exams and look at exam technique and exemplar exam questions to aid with their revision.
Feedback
In both KS3 and KS4 students are provided with a piece of written feedback every 5-6 lessons. Teachers use literacy codes as well as reference to the power standards in order for students to make maximum progress. These reflect the GCSE examination criteria in both content and language accuracy. Students also receive various other forms of feedback throughout their lessons. These include but are not limited to: Oral feedback from your teacher individually or as a class, whole class feedback on a feedback crib sheet, peer assessment (including your weekly vocabulary tests), questioning in class, exit tickets and end of term assessments
Ambition and careers
Learning a language is not only a useful tool but it also sets you up for life. Language skills are in demand and can be used in almost any career, particularly in business. Studying a language makes you a good communicator, both orally and in writing. It allows you to understand your own language better and can open up pathways which would not be available to you without having studied a language. As university places become even harder to obtain, a GCSE in a MFL will allow you to study in one of the top universities nationally or even internationally. Some careers in MFL can include:
- Journalist
- Interpreter
- Translator
- Teacher
- Trading
- Charity worker
- Marketing executive
- Finance
- Espionage
Enrichment and Drop Down Days
The Modern Foreign Language department believes in the importance of experiencing and experimenting with the language learnt in school at first hand and have three international trips which take place every year. Students studying French in KS4 have the opportunity to go to Paris including a visit to Disneyland. Students studying Spanish in KS4 have the opportunity to visit Barcelona including the Camp Nou stadium. Students studying in KS3 have a variety of extra-curricular opportunities such as a day trip to Boulogne, visits to the French institute, cultural days in school and language competitions throughout the year.
