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The MFL
Department believes that languages are becoming increasingly
important in the modern world. The skills, knowledge and
understanding developed through the delivery of the MFL
curriculum are considered vital elements of students’ all-round
education and competencies needed to enter the work place at the
end of their full time education. Furthermore, the increased
understanding of other cultures helps students to develop
greater tolerance of the wide range of people of different race,
religion and background that one encounters in our modern
society. |
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Our philosophy is to provide students, regardless of ability, with a
practical skill in their Modern Foreign Language. We hope they will
enjoy the experience, however long they choose to continue their
studies. We aim to provide students with the necessary skills and
confidence, at the end of Key Stage 3, to allow them to make an informed
choice whether or not to continue studying a language at Key Stage 4. It
is generally felt that students from the upper sets ought to continue
with a language into Key Stage 4 as this will greatly enhance their
chances of securing employment and subsequent promotion in years to
come.
An overview
of the Scheme of Work for Key Stage 3
and Key Stage 4 can be viewed here.
We aim to create an atmosphere in the classroom that motivates and
encourages students to communicate, as far as possible, in the Target
Language. We try to encourage them to take risks, in an enterprising
environment, where students can feel safe to learn from their mistakes
and develop a mutually supporting relationship with their peers and
their teachers. We endeavour to do this through careful questioning and
peer- and self- assessment, as well as through interactive methods of
teaching and learning.
Real communication is the central thread to lessons and the teaching of
grammar is considered vital to develop genuine independence in the
students’ ability to express themselves. We also promote the specific
skills involved in language-learning, thus reinforcing the students’
overall learning capacity; this includes the skills of listening,
reading, speaking and writing, but also literacy, numeracy, learning
skills and enterprise skills.
There is an increasing emphasis on
Assessment for Learning and students are encouraged to develop their
confidence to assess their own progress and to set themselves targets to
improve. It is believed that this will increase students’ motivation and
overall capacity to learn and make good progress. Students are taught
from the beginning of Year 7 to recognise the criteria for quality work
and acquire the necessary skills to assess and improve their own work
It is also considered important that the students are given access
whenever possible to a wide range of resources, including the use of
ICT, and authentic materials. Enrichment activities are offered,
whenever possible, including extra-curricular trips abroad and
curriculum links, such as the Bastille Day celebrations in July.
In general,
the MFL Department hopes to develop the students’ all-round education,
by supporting their generic learning needs. |
