Modern Foreign Languages
Why study Modern Foreign Languages?
94% of the planet don’t speak English as their mother tongue and 75% do not speak English at all. English speakers who can communicate in additional foreign languages are much sought after. The study of languages opens pupils’ minds to a whole world of opportunity, enabling pupils to:
- access information about different cultures.
- improve both verbal and written communication and literacy.
- perform well under pressure and grow in self-confidence.
Language learning develops a deep cultural awareness of how linguistic heritage links people of different cultures around the world, enables all pupils to broaden their horizons, converse with other people from different backgrounds, and strengthens pupils’ economic prospects.
How will I study Modern Foreign Languages?
All pupils study two foreign languages for two lessons per language each week. They learn to:
- understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of carefully selected sources, including authentic audio texts where appropriate.
- speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
- read and respond to a wide range of textual sources in each target language, including authentic and literary texts; and to enhance their linguistics knowledge and fluency, an learn more about parts of the world where each language is spoken, through reading for enjoyment from a MFL reading list.
- write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt.
- discover and develop an appreciation of the countries and cultures where the language is used.
What will I study at Key Stage 3?
Throughout KS3, pupils have the opportunity to explore specific cultural and geographical aspects of the French/Arabic/Urdu-speaking world. They explore short stories and are encouraged to read from the MFL Reading List.
Initially, pupils learn phonics to link sounds and spellings. They develop the vocabulary and grammar skills needed to listen, speak, read and write about various aspects of everyday life: Introducing themselves and their family; school routines; sports and leisure activities). Then, pupils consolidate their language skills, securing their knowledge of phonics, vocabulary and grammar in new contexts, so that by the end of Key Stage 3 they can understand, talk and write about a wider range of topics, such as holidays, festivals and celebrations, and their local area.
Throughout KS3, pupils have the opportunity to explore specific cultural and geographical aspects of the French/Arabic/Urdu-speaking world. They explore short stories and are encouraged to read from the MFL Reading List.
What will I study at Key Stage 4?
Pupils study the GCSE syllabus for each language through a wide range of topics blending the familiar with new knowledge (e.g., what makes a good friend, role models, dream holidays, healthy living, further study, the world of work, social issues in the local areas and how to protect the environment).
In the first year of GCSE, pupils will:
- recall high frequency vocabulary and structures and start to draw upon more specific vocabulary.
- revisit topics studied at Key Stage 3 in more depth through the Key Stage 4 GCSE specification.
- know correct verb forms in different tenses and develop more confidence in combining timeframes.
- offer and justify opinions on a range of topics.
- listen and read for gist and detail with increasing stamina.
- speak and write confidently in some detail
In the final year of GCSE, pupils will:
- build upon a strong foundation of prior learning to tackle more complex content relating to future plans, healthy lifestyle choices and social and global social issues.
- synthesise learning across topics and recycle language more proficiently from memory.
- know some uses of the simple future tense, subjunctive voice and passive voices.
- communicate competently and confidently in spoken and written French and appreciate francophone culture in different countries around the world
- communicate proficiently in the language verbally and in writing.
- be well-prepared for the rigour of GCSE exams in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
- have a strong foundation to study A-Level Languages.
What will I study at Key Stage 5?
Pupils have the opportunity to continue their languages journey beyond Key Stage 4, through:
- an innovative GCSE+ programme bridging GCSE and A Level
- A Level 3 Extended Research Project related to one or more Modern Foreign Languages.
- A level Arabic and Urdu study in Year 12 and 13.
- Tailored support to students who wish to study A Levels in other languages.
- A short course in Latin and Greek basics for students who are interested in applying for competitive university courses (Medicine, Pharmacy, Law) where a knowledge of these root languages can help with mastering technical vocabulary within these disciplines.
Assessment at Key Stage 4
GCSE Arabic Edexcel 1AA0
Paper 1: Listening and Understanding in Arabic (1AA0/1F and 1H)
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This paper consists of multiple-choice, short open response, open response and extended open response questions. The paper is divided in to two sections. Higher Tier:
Foundation Tier:
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Paper 2: Speaking in Arabic (1AA0/2F and 2H)
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Students are assessed on their ability to communicate and interact effectively through speaking in Arabic for different purposes and in different settings. There are three tasks: Task 1 – a role play based on one allocated topic Task 2 – questions based on an allocated picture stimulus Task 3 – conversation based on two themes. The first theme is based on the topic chosen by the student in advance of the assessment |
Paper 3: Reading and understanding in Arabic (1AA0/3F and 3H)
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This paper consists of multiple-choice, short open response and open response. The paper is divided in to three sections.
Section C: A translation from Arabic into English. |
Paper 4: Writing in Arabic (1AA0/4F and 4H)
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Higher Tier: The paper is divided in to three sections.
Foundation Tier: The paper is divided into four sections.
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GCSE French AQA 8658/GCSE Urdu AQA 8648
Paper 1: Listening
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This paper consists of multiple-choice, short open response, open response and extended open response questions. The paper is divided in to two sections.
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Paper 2: Speaking
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The test consists of three parts: Role-play (15 marks) Approx. 2 minutes Based on a stimulus card, to be prepared by the student immediately before the test. Photo card (15 marks) Approx 2-3 minutes Based on a stimulus card, prepared by the student immediately before the test, teachers ask five prescribed questions (three of which will be printed on the student’s card). General conversation (30 marks) 5-7 minutes (Foundation Tier 3-5 minutes) The teacher conducts a conversation based on the two themes which have not been covered on the photo card. A similar amount of time should be spent on each theme (the student will choose the first theme). |
Paper 3: Reading
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This paper consists of multiple-choice, short open response and open response questions. The paper is divided in to three sections.
Section C: Translation from Target Language into English. |
Paper 4: Writing
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Higher Tier: This exam consists of three questions. Q1: A structured 90 word writing task Q2: An open-ended, 150 word writing task Q3: A translation from English into Target Language. Foundation Tier: This exam consists of four questions. Q1: A photocard description task Q2: A structured 40 word writing task Q3: Sentences to translate into Target Language Q3: A structured 90 word writing task |
Assessment at Key Stage 5
Advanced GCSE in Arabic/Urdu Pearson Edexcel (9AA0/9UR0)
Paper 01: Translation into English, reading comprehension and writing (research question)
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Section A: Translation into English (20 marks) Section B: Reading (20 marks) Section C: Writing (research question) (40 marks)
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Paper 02: Translation into Arabic/Urdu and written response to works
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Section A: Translation into English (20 marks) Section B: Reading (20 marks) Section C: Writing (research question) (40 marks)
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Paper 03: Listening, reading and writing in Arabic/Urdu
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Section A: Listening comprehension (30 marks) Section B: Listening, reading and writing question (30 marks)
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Enrichment
A wide range of extra-curricular opportunities are offered to pupils, catering for multiple languages across all Key Stages. Currently, we provide additional lunchtime sessions including: Year 7 and Year 8 Handwriting Club; Year 8 Ka Safar; Year 8 & Year 9 Spanish’ Amigos club; Year 9 Foreign Language Cinema Club; Year 10 Speaking Surgeries in each language and a Latin Taster Course for Y12 students twice each year.
The MFL Faculty also organizes whole school language-related events:
- In September, European Day Languages is marked with languages quizzes and competitions
- In February, the #lovelanguages event provides a morning of creative activities for each year group; in 2022 for example, Year 7s created Arabic art; Year 10s ordered food and drink at a French café.
The school library offers an ever-widening range of MFL-related texts, Year 8 pupils enjoy a regular, interactive ‘Storytime’ session, and teachers’ authentic audio and video clips via MS Teams. Teachers also provide creative challenges each half term such as The Great TIGHS Bake Off.
Careers
There are a range of career opportunities for pupils if they study modern foreign language to a higher level. The majority of employers prefer to recruit people with languages skills. Having a good GCSE or A Level grade in a foreign language and any degree will enable pupils to work for an international company anywhere around the world. A good GCSE grade in Urdu will allow pupils to study the language further or to combine with other degree subjects. This can then lead to careers in fields such as interpreting, teaching, languages and community services. Universities and employers value strong language qualifications.
Useful resources and revision support
- Pupils should have access to a dual-language dictionary for each language they study.
- Pupils can benefit from watching cartoons, youtube clips and TV programmes/films in the Target Language.
- Pupils can prepare for assessments using topic-based revision mats, vocabulary booklets and listening materials provided by language teachers.
- Pupils are able to review lesson Powerpoints and access additional materials via MS Teams.
- languagenut.com Subscription site for Arabic and French Pupils
- Secondary Homework Help | Online subjects – BBC Bitesize for revision, listening and reading practice
- https://www.duolingo.com/ learn, read stories and interact via the multilingual forum
- https://www.memrise.com/ for vocabulary retrieval practice