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:
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)
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.
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.