M.F.L. (Modern Foreign Languages)
The purpose of the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) curriculum at Cockburn John Charles Academy is to enable students to communicate with speakers of Spanish and French on topics which are within their experiences, both in speech and in writing. The curriculum also intends to develop students’ appreciation of a different way of thinking through exposure to authentic materials. The MFL curriculum aims to increase students’ confidence in using the language being taught across the four skills needed in order to express both thoughts and ideas on a variety of themes.
Key Stage 3: What will my child learn?
Year 7
Students cover:
Mi vida
Mi familia y mis amigos
Mi instituto
Mi tiempo libre
Vivo en…
Mi ciudad
Students will study a number of topics that will allow them to introduce themselves and give information on their family, friends and hobbies. They will also be able to give information on school life and on where they live.
Year 8
Students cover:
Mis vacaciones
Todo sobre mi vida
Mi cuerpo y la vida sana
¿Qué hacemos?
Operación verano
Students will learn to give information on holidays, health and diet. They will also touch upon TV habits and clothes. Students will look to give information in more than two tenses.
Assessments KS3
At the end of each unit students will sit a classroom based assessment that will test two of the four skills in MFL. Students will follow a rotation of Listening and Speaking Assessments and Reading and Writing Assessments.
Homework
Students receive a piece of homework each week to support classroom learning. Students should speak to their teacher for further guidance or support if needed.
Key Stage 4
Students follow a three year GCSE course using the AQA board and will study topics across three themes. These themes are; Theme 1 – Identity and culture, Theme 2 – Local, national, international and global areas of interest and Theme 3 – Current and future study and employment. The course builds upon the linguistic foundations acquired at Key Stage 3 and will continue to build students confidence in, and use of, their language of choice.
Year 9
Students cover:
Me, my family and friends
Home and local area
Free time
School studies
Food and healthy living
Festivals and customs
Year 10
Technology, cinema and TV
Life at school
Healthy lifestyles
Travel and tourism
Relationships and future plans
Year 11
Social issues
Global issues
Career choices
Future studies
Revision
Assessments KS4
Students will be assessed at the end of each unit and will sit their final GCSE in Y11. Each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) is worth 25% of the GCSE.
Homework
Students receive a piece of homework each week to support classroom learning. Students should speak to their teacher for further guidance or support if needed.
Useful links
The MFL department has a page on the student area of FROG. Students are able to access homework, TV and radio links as well as topical information and study links.