Modern Foreign Languages

Key Stage 3:

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.  If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

-Nelson Mandela

 

Language proficiency is a lifelong skill which enhances people’s professional and personal lives.  Learning a modern foreign language not only helps students to communicate with people from other countries, but also improves their understanding of their own language as well as developing their analytical skills and intercultural understanding.

At St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy, all students learn French in Key Stage 3, with some students learning Mandarin as a second language.

As language in a communicative tool, we place a great emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills.  Students therefore gain confidence in speaking another language and enjoy learning new vocabulary through participating in a variety of fun and engaging language-learning activities especially designed to enable them to speak spontaneously in the target language.

Outline of the KS3 Course

The table below gives an outline of the topics studied by students in each module in KS3.

 

French

Module 1 Module 2 Module 3
Year 7 All about me Holidays In town
Year 8 My World In Town Free time
Year  9 School life Free time The Environment

Mandarin 

Module 1 Module 2 Module 3
Year 7 Chinese Culture and All About Me Family and Pets and Hobbies School and Food and Drink
Year 8 Holidays and My Town Clothes and Daily Routine My Bedroom and Jobs
Year 9 Shopping and Travel in China My Life and Leisure School and consolidation of all prior topics

 

For further information regarding the KS3 curriculum, please click on the link below:

Curriculum Intent

Knowledge Organisers

French Year 7

Module 1

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AqSPdxWcEiyaxaEuaAhYWhWz0phVYRyT/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OASM3HQxSrEtm0Dll38kX4bUe9UWu7YH/view?usp=sharing

 

Module 2

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Agu6N8gONf-TLSK4h_4D0OMCw8ud1LlC/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Osabfu6VOCmZE7GSegQB7An7DBjV6YLa/view?usp=sharing

 

Module 3

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Dd158vYud6qBn2dShRzKdwLSvW_FhQg/view?usp=sharing

 

 

French Year 8

Module 1

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZoGXvK1dtqfpIpe9E3wc-TwC_abgspcd/view?usp=sharing

 

Module 2

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10APnGd45Q0n_Opy3ZMpNwi5K0cBU771W/view?usp=sharing

 

Module 3

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19-a2SoGx50IcY4UEFfWqg_siKzbdu5J9/view?usp=sharing

 

 

French Year 9

Module 1

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eo6OLBSyaN0Y_AZXfWGfkJC–plk-Tvf/view?usp=sharing

 

Module 2

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1atYuOZnobINrShg6AvcLwQbaszTZJNA6/view?usp=sharing

 

Module 3

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hZ7YWYYS6RDo0IUaAguAtwqM3ALVq9-K/view?usp=sharing

 Mandarin

Curriculum Overview

Learning journey

Useful website links:

French

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/french/

 

http://www.listenlive.eu/france.html   – French radio stations

 

http://www.monquotidien.fr/  -French news for 10-14 yr olds    www.inpes.fr

 

http://www.france24.com/en/livefeed

 

Spanish

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z9mtsbk

 

Mandarin

www.archchinese.com

Languagenut.com

MandarinMatrix.com

 

Curriculum Information Link

The National Curriculum  (Page 98)

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239083/SECONDARY_national_curriculum_-_Languages.pdf

If you require more information regarding the subject, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Anderson, Curriculum Leader for MFL via the school office on: [email protected] 


Key Stage 4:

At Key Stage 4 students follow the AQA specification. Students will learn about a wide range of topics, as listed below. There is a particular emphasis on communication, memory skills and knowledge of grammar.

All students follow a GCSE course; the tier of entry is not decided until after students have sat their final mock examination in the Spring term of Year 11.

The entry tier in Year 11 dictates the grades that are accessible; these are listed below:

Foundation 1 2 3 4 5
Higher 4 5 6 7 8 9

 

The course assesses the following skill areas:

  • Listening (Paper 1) – 25% (external assessment)
  • Speaking (Paper 2) – 25% (external assessment)
  • Reading (Paper 3) – 25% (external assessment)
  • Writing (Paper 4) – 25% (external assessment)

 

Course content at KS4:

Theme 1: Identity and culture

Topic 1: Me, my family and friends

  • Relationships with family and friends
  • Marriage / partnership

Topic 2: Technology in everyday life

  • Social media
  • Mobile technology

Topic 3: Free-time activities

  • Music
  • Cinema and TV
  • Food and eating out
  • Sport

Topic 4: Customs and festivals in French/Spanish-speaking countries/communities

 

Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

Topic 1: Home, town, neighbourhood and region

Topic 2: Social issues

  • Charity/volunteer work
  • Healthy/unhealthy living

Topic 3: Global issues

  • The environment
  • Poverty/homelessness

Topic 4: Travel and tourism

 

Theme 3: Current and future study and employment

Topic 1: My studies

Topic 2: Life at school/college

Topic 3: Education post-16

Topic 4: Jobs, career choices and ambitions

 


Key Stage 5:

Why Choose French?

Languages are all around us; they are used in so many situations whether at work, on holiday or just casually in day-to-day life – we live in a multilingual global society.

Choosing an A-level language is a really smart move if you want a fascinating subject that offers you a range of career possibilities at the end and are a lot of fun along the way.

A-level language courses are interesting and varied subjects to study and give you a broad range of knowledge and skills.

A Level French

What is the A-level course like?

A-level languages build upon your existing knowledge gained at GCSE, giving you a sound understanding of using your language in a variety of contexts and situations – at home, abroad, with friends or in the workplace.

The emphasis of the A-level language course focuses on improving communication in your foreign language through different means as well as being able to use it in a variety of situations, developing your key skills areas and most importantly to encourage you to fall in love with learning languages.

What Careers?

Language skills can lead directly into a career in translating, interpreting or teaching, and are also in demand in areas such as hospitality, law, publishing and business services. Modern languages degrees typically involve spending a year abroad and this can be an opportunity to find work in a field that interests you and gain relevant experience.

Studying modern languages is likely to develop interpersonal and communication skills that graduate recruiters value, as well as other key strengths. This guide will help you identify the skills you have to offer and explore a range of graduate career options, as well as setting out the careers modern languages students aspire to and the areas they find work in after graduation.