Curriculum

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Why study French?

The study of Modern Foreign Languages helps to develop students’ cultural awareness, teaches them the fundamentals of communicating effectively in a foreign language, and equips them with the skills they need to progress to a global marketplace.

Students will learn how to convey vital information about themselves, their families and their lives, and will also master essential phrases, such as how to ask for directions, order food, and organise social engagements. Pronunciation and grammar will be key components of the course, ensuring students are able to communicate through both spoken and written mediums.

Students will also learn a variety of valuable transferrable skills whilst undertaking a MFL, such as communication, problem-solving, creativity, ICT, literacy, numeracy and performance skills.

How will I study French?

In order for our students to be successful and self-efficient in language-learning, they are taught to learn French through building blocks of language: phonics, grammar and vocabulary. Each lesson focuses on these building blocks helping learners to make connections between sounds, words, sentences and their meaning. As they progress, students are able to understand and produce more complex language across a variety of themes and contexts. From year 7 to year 11, learners develop their reading, listening, writing and speaking skills over time. This linguistic journey leads them to become more confident language learners and to develop fluency in the spoken and written word with an appreciation of Francophone countries. Students are offered opportunities to listen and to practise using the target language and also to have access to a variety of authentic and semi-authentic materials (literary texts extracts, songs, newspapers extracts etc.). We aim at bringing the country and culture into the classroom.

 

What will I study in Key Stage 3?

KS3 sets firm foundations of language learning. Building on their experience of language learning in Primary years, Year 7 students learn French phonics and start making links between sounds and spelling. They develop their vocabulary and grammar skills and learn how to introduce themselves, their family and pets in French. They also learn to read, write, listen and speak about various aspects of their everyday life (school, leisure activities, sports, their house and their town).

In year 8, students consolidate their language skills. Their developing knowledge of phonics, vocabulary and grammar enable them to understand, to talk about and describe more extensively about a range of themes such as  holiday, festivals and celebrations, the media, their region and healthy lifestyles.

In year 9, as students become more confident in using a variety of vocabulary and a greater range of grammatical tenses, they  explore themes linked to their lives as teenagers, their future plans, their individual tastes in music and their views on environmental issues. They also have the opportunity to explore specific cultural and geographical aspects of the French-speaking world.

What will I study in Key Stage 4?

KS4 further builds upon, and deepens, the basis of language learning in previous years. In Year 10 and 11, students begin to use more complex language. They are able to understand, and communicate about an increasingly wider range of themes. The KS4 themes are: Identity and culture; Local, national, international and global areas of interest,  and current and future study and employment. As they become more grammatically aware but also linguistically more fluent and spontaneous in French, KS4 students are able to understand and produce longer and more complex stretches of language. They learn to use grammar efficiently, to draw inferences and begin to develop a reliable knowledge of vocabulary thus making them more creative and independent in their language skills.

 
Assessment

Examination Board: AQA

Paper 1: Listening
Overview Focus
  • Written exam (35 minutes (Foundation Tier), 45 minutes (Higher Tier)
  • 40 marks (Foundation Tier), 50 marks (Higher Tier)
  • 25% of GCSE
  • Section A: students understanding of spoken language will be tested by a range of question types in English, requiring non-verbal responses or responses in English.
  • Section B: students comprehension will be tested by a range of question types in French, requiring non-verbal responses or responses in French.
Paper 2: Speaking
Overview Focus
  • Non-exam assessment
  • 7-9 minutes (Foundation Tier) + preparation time
  • 10-12 minutes (Higher Tier) + preparation time
  • 60 marks (for each of Foundation Tier and Higher Tier)
  • 25% of GCSE
  • Role-play
  • Photo card
  • General conversation
Paper 3: Reading
Overview Focus
  • Written exam (45 minutes (Foundation Tier), 1 hour (Higher Tier))
  • 60 marks (for each of Foundation Tier and Higher Tier)
  • 25% of GCSE
  • Section A – questions in English, to be answered in English or non-verbally
  • Section B – questions in French, to be answered in French or non-verbally
  • Section C – translation from French into English
Paper 4: Writing
Overview Focus
  • Written exam (1 hour (Foundation Tier), 1 hour 15 minutes (Higher Tier))
  • 50 marks at Foundation Tier and 60 marks at Higher Tier
  • 25% of GCSE

Foundation Tier

  • Question 1 – message – four sentences in response to a photo
  • Question 2 – short passage
  • Question 3 – translation from English into French
  • Question 4 – structured writing task.

Higher Tier

  • Question 1 – structured writing task
  • Question 2 – open-ended writing task
  • Question 3 – translation from English into French
Enrichment Offer

The Department offers a variety of annual personal development opportunities :

  • Bills French Kindness kitchen
  • French boules competition
  • Spelling Bee competition
  • Careers in Language webinar
  • International visit to Paris
  • Pen pal experience with school students in France
Careers

The study of a Modern Foreign Language can lead to future careers ranging from Forensic Linguist, Translator and Technical Writer to Computational Linguist and Lexicographer. Famous language graduates include Fiona Bruce (newsreader) and J K Rowling (author).

Useful Resources and Revision Support