M.F.L.

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.