Modern Languages
Available at KS3, 4 & 5. Includes French, Spanish.
Subject Vision & Intent
Our vision for teaching French and Spanish at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 is for students to gain knowledge, confidence and skills and to become effective communicators. Throughout their language journey students are exposed to the customs of other countries, thereby developing cultural capital and an awareness of the wider world. Moreover, knowledge of their own language is enhanced, as well as that of the language they are studying.
Our lessons are built around the key components of vocabulary, phonics and grammar. We use a variety of resources and activities to support students in producing accurate language, which empowers them to become increasingly confident, independent learners.
Aims & Expected Impacts
In line with National Curriculum expectations, we aim to ensure that all students:
Understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of sources.
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.
Can write at varying length, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt.
We have recently reviewed our curriculum model to ensure that students are well prepared in either French or Spanish, with schemes of learning related to the AQA KS3 schemes of work.
Termly Curriculum Overview
French Curriculum
Year Group | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
Y7 | Identity | Free time | Education |
Home Learning: | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone |
Y8 | Where people live
| Media | Celebrations and festivals |
Home Learning: | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone |
Y9 | Travel Work and future plans | Healthy living Celebrity culture Film study | Customs and festivals |
Home Learning: | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone |
Y10 | Free time Family | Education and work | Health |
Home Learning: | Quiz; vocab learning; grammar; listening; preparation of speaking/writing sheet; exam practice tasks; revision | Quiz; vocab learning; grammar; listening; preparation of speaking/writing sheets; exam practice tasks; revision | Quiz; vocab learning; grammar; listening; preparation of speaking/writing sheets; exam practice tasks; revision |
Y11 | Holidays Environment | House and home Future plans
| Exam preparation |
Home Learning: | Vocab learning; preparation of speaking/writing questions; exam practice tasks; revision | Vocab learning; preparation of speaking/writing questions; exam practice tasks; revision | Vocab learning; preparation of speaking/writing questions; exam practice tasks; revision |
Y12 |
La famille La cybersociété La haine film study
| Bénévolat Musique La haine | Cinéma Patrimoine |
Home Learning: | Research; vocabulary learning; exam practice questions; revision | Research; vocabulary learning; exam practice questions; revision | Research; vocabulary learning; exam practice questions; revision |
Y13 | Une société diverse Les marginalisés Literary study (+ IRP prep) | Les criminels L’engagement politique Literary study (+ IRP prep) | Les manifestations La politique et l’immigration (+ IRP prep) |
Home Learning: | Research; vocabulary learning; exam practice questions; revision | Research; vocabulary learning; exam practice questions; revision | Research; vocabulary learning; exam practice questions; revision |
Spanish Curriculum
Year Group | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
Y7 | Identity | Free time activities | Education |
Home Learning: | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone |
Y8 | Where people live | Travel and tourism | Celebrations |
Home Learning: | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone |
Y9 | Media and technology Film study and celebrity culture | Healthy living The world of work | The world of work Customs and festivals |
Home Learning: | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone | Teams quizzes; vocab learning; revision for milestone |
Y10 | Free time Holidays
| Family and relationships Lifestyle | Lifestyle School |
Home Learning: | Vocab learning; grammar; listening; preparation of speaking/writing questions; exam practice tasks; revision | Vocab learning; grammar; listening; preparation of speaking/writing questions; exam practice tasks; revision | Vocab learning; grammar; listening; preparation of speaking/writing questions; exam practice tasks; revision |
Y11 | School My home town | A better world Future plans | Future plans Exam preparation |
Home Learning: | Vocab learning; speaking and writing questions; exam questions; revision | Vocab learning; speaking and writing questions; exam questions; revision | Vocab learning; speaking and writing questions; exam questions; revision |
Y12 | Traditional and modern values Cyberspace Speaking practice | Equal rights The influence of idols Regional identity Speaking practice | Cultural heritage Literary study Speaking practice and IRP prep |
Home Learning: | Research; vocabulary learning; grammar practice; exam practice questions; revision | Research; vocabulary learning; grammar practice; exam practice questions; revision | Research; vocabulary learning; grammar practice; exam practice questions; revision |
Y13 | Revisit Literary study Traditional and modern values Cyberspace Speaking practice (+ IRP prep) | Revisit Film study Equal rights The influence of idols Regional identity Speaking practice (+ IRP prep) | Cultural heritage Speaking practice (+ IRP prep) |
Home Learning: | Research; vocabulary learning; grammar practice; exam practice questions; IRP prep; revision | Research; vocabulary learning; grammar practice; exam practice questions; IRP prep; revision | Research; vocabulary learning; grammar practice; exam practice questions; IRP prep; revision |
Assessments / Examinations
Key Stage 3
Students will complete summative assessments at the end of units of work which, where possible, will test knowledge of the previous as well as the current topic. The skills of translation to and from English, reading comprehension and completion of a written task will be tested. A dictation task will test listening skills (phonics, sound-spelling links) and grammar knowledge will also be assessed in the style of the new GCSE. Moving through Year 7 to Year 9, students will also take part in speaking assessments which will test their ability to ask and answer questions, to read aloud and to describe a photo, in line with the demands of the new GCSE.
Key Stage 4
Summative assessments will test knowledge and a variety of skills (listening/writing, reading/writing) at the end of each module of work. Feedback given will relate to the appropriate knowledge and skill(s) being tested and will be in line with specification requirements with a percentage score and estimated grade where appropriate. Summative assessments in the form of practice exams will test speaking, listening, reading and writing in line with the assessment calendar and will follow a formal GCSE format. The listening, speaking, reading and writing exams in Year 10 will focus on topics covered that year and a percentage and grade will be awarded. Year 11 exams will focus on the topics covered so far.
Key Stage 5
Subject knowledge and the skills of listening, reading and writing will be tested half-termly via the use of past paper questions, with feedback based on the exam mark scheme with a percentage and estimated grade where appropriate. Prior learning (such as the reinforcement of grammar points and vocabulary) is also re-visited in home learning tasks, independent work (using Boost) and Do Now activities. A formal practice speaking assessment will be conducted towards the end of Year 12. Once the literary element of the course has been covered, students will also complete practice essays.
GCSE Exam Board: AQA
A-Level Exam Board: AQA
Home Learning
At KS3 Home Learning is conducted fortnightly and combines vocabulary learning and the completion of a multiple-choice quiz. At KS4 the weekly use of Home Learning booklets ensures that students gain practice in exam skills such as reading aloud and role play practice as well as vocabulary learning, translation and grammar tasks. At KS5 weekly Home Learning tasks involve grammar practice, translation, the completion of past paper questions as well as wider reading to develop research skills.
Enrichment / Personal Development
We are fortunate to employ Language Assistants for both French and Spanish via the British Council. These young people work with our students either in small groups, to hone their speaking skills, or within the classroom to enhance students’ understanding of their country of origin. In recent years our students have enjoyed working with assistants from France, Spain, Canada and Colombia.
Careers
A knowledge of a second language can be a vital skill in many fields, such as: International banker, Diplomat, Interpreter, Web Developer, Translator, Journalist, Tour Manager, IT Manager, Language Teacher, Travel Consultant, International Correspondent, Bilingual Secretary, Airport Information Assistant, Tourist Guide, Hotel Manager, Aid Worker, Cabin Crew, Immigration Officer, Civil Servant, Lawyer, Engineer.
In addition, learning a foreign language develops transferable, professional skills desired by employers, such as the ability to absorb and understand complex information, problem-solving, risk-taking, resilience, attention to detail as well as being a good communicator and listener.