Modern Foreign Languages

At Penair School, we value the ability to speak another language in our increasingly global society. Developing the skills of language learning opens doors and creates opportunities far beyond the classroom.

Not only can you travel to new places around the world, but learning a language helps to boost your memory power and increases your brain capacity. It can teach you about a world of culture and make you look more closely at your own. It can even help to improve your English skills and it will certainly make you stand out from the crowd when it comes to applying for jobs and universities.

At Penair School, all students study German at Key Stage 3 including either Spanish or French. Students can choose to study German, French or Spanish at GCSE. We have a team of dedicated, specialist teachers who are passionate about enabling young people to broaden their horizons and to communicate in another language.

Intent

The MFL curriculum aims to enable all students:

to equip students with thorough knowledge, skills and understanding
to actively communicate with confidence in speech and writing
to understand and respond to a variety of authentic texts and dialogues, including literary extracts
to explore a range of Francophone, Germanic and Hispanic cultures through a variety of media, in and out of lessons
to enhance their cultural capital

to make progress in their language learning in a more independent way at home
most importantly, to foster a love of languages

Implementation

The MFL curriculum is implemented collaboratively via:

the delivery of high-quality lessons, placing learning and outcomes at the forefront of planning

ambitious and aspirational schemes of learning, building our students’ linguistic and cultural knowledge
clear learning objectives providing opportunities for knowledge recall and frequently revisiting core grammatical concepts and vocabulary
the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills
regular identification and clarification of common misconceptions
the regular review and evaluation of the MFL curriculum to ensure maximum impact for all learners

Impact

What our students achieve can be seen (and heard) through:

high levels of engagement in lessons
exercise books, including writing challenges and self and peer assessment
opportunities for students to reflect and provide feedback on their learning

oral work in lessons
end of topic assessments and low stakes quizzes
our GCSE result

Homework

At Key Stage 3, homework is set each week.

At Key Stage 4, homework is set each week.

All students are also encouraged to take part in independent vocabulary learning online, using some of the websites and apps mentioned below.

Extra-Curricular

The MFL department offer a range of extra-curricular activities, including after school clubs as well as homework and intervention sessions for our GCSE linguists.

Useful resources websites

BBC bitesize useful for revision at KS3 and KS4

www.languagesonline.org.uk good for practising vocabulary and grammar

www.linguascope.co.uk good for practising new vocabulary.

www.quizlet.com good for practising vocabulary

www.memrise.com good for practising new vocabulary

www.francetvinfo.fr good for keeping abreast with French current affairs and widening vocabulary and improving listening skills.