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Languages

List of TLR Holders and their responsibilities:

Mrs E. Abrahams - Head of Languages

Department aims:

All students to reach their potential and be language-ready for the world of work

Approaches to teaching and learning:

Students are encouraged to work as independently as possible in class, and encouraged to develop their resilience in a large variety of tasks and techniques

Why the department has adopted this curriculum plan: (Curriculum Intent):

The KS3 topics and skills are a foundation for GCSE, and will also allow students to learn functional and transactional language skills

Principles of sequencing learning in this subject:

In KS3 we practise and reinforce transferable grammar skills in a variety of short topics, both of which are the foundations for GCSE. KS3 also builds on the language learning skills picked up at KS2.

How students will receive feedback to enhance their knowledge and skills:

Students receive verbal feedback in every lesson when they offer answers and ideas. Written work is marked in line with the school marking policy, and students receive feedback on how to improve their application of skills, and they are given the time to do so.

Reading List (Key Stage 3):

We always recommend that students keep up with news stories that are happening in French/German/Spanish speaking countries. We would also recommend that students have a bilingual dictionary at home. The better ones are Collins Easy Learning French/German/Spanish and Oxford Learner’s French/German/Spanish Dictionary

Reading List (GCSE):

We would always encourage students to read children’s books in French/German/Spanish, especially books that they know already in English. Similarly, watching a favourite film with French/German/Spanish subtitles also helps develop learning in a familiar setting.

Extracurricular and enrichment:

As a department we are offering intervention for Year 11s after school, as well as KS3 Homework Club. We are also beginning to organise trips that students can take part in, to increase their cultural understanding of the people speaking their second language.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural opportunities:

Students in MFL are taught to accept and embrace other languages and cultures.In KS3 the students learn about traditions and the culture of their target language. Topics taught in KS3 include healthy lifestyle, relationships, future aspirations and GCSE topics include global and social awareness. Students are encouraged to be empathetic to the cultures, beliefs and traditions of others and stereotypes are challenged where necessary. We encourage students to work independently, in pairs and groups, and to respect one another in the classroom. Cultural development and cultural awareness are fundamental in language learning. Exploration of language and culture is key to language learning. Students are encouraged to embrace ‘difference’ at all stages of their linguistic development and accept ideas which may be ‘alien’ to them, as culturally significant.

Character development and British Values opportunities:

We encourage resilience, mutual respect for each other (and for other cultures), learning in an environment that allows the development and support of self-confidence and self-knowledge.