Modern Languages

Curriculum Vision

We believe that every child can be a successful language learner.

Languages significantly improve our quality of life by opening up social and professional opportunities and broadening our understanding of the world. Through languages we become successful global citizens with a social conscience. They help us appreciate and celebrate our diverse cultural identities.

Our curriculum has a strong focus on mastery and communication, and our pedagogy is informed by current research into cognitive science and how our memory works.

In lessons, students build a strong understanding of phonics, vocabulary and grammar through a wide variety of engaging activities. They practise speaking, writing, listening and reading with the use of accessible materials and through teaching tailored to the students’ individual needs.

The faculty consists of experienced linguists from a range of cultural and professional backgrounds, which enables us to support and inspire our students. We want to empower students to become confident communicators and future leaders.

Students learn through topics which are related to their lived experience and the world around them and allow them to express their views and opinions. Examples include family, holidays, technology, healthy lifestyle and free time activities.

We strongly believe in the value of educational visits and extra-curricular activities as a way of engaging students with the wider cultural benefits of language learning.

We have well established exchanges with schools in Germany, Spain and France.

We celebrate European Day of Languages by holding events for the whole school. The Year 7 Song Competition held at the end of the Summer Term is a celebration of the huge amount of learning which has taken place during the year and is something students often remember fondly in later years.

 

The limits of my language are the limits of my world.

Ludwig Wittgenstein

 

A video introduction to our languages courses in LPGS6 (our co-educational Sixth Form)

 

 

We want students to build mastery and fluency and to communicate confidently in a foreign language. They will express themselves and their opinions on a wide range of topics. We also want students to appreciate the culture of the countries where the language is spoken and understand their place in the wider world.

To achieve this, students in KS3 learn about three main topics a year. The language is introduced in chunks and with the help of sentence builders which support understanding. Students have opportunities to practise listening, speaking, reading and writing in each lesson. Spontaneous use of the target language is rewarded with team points. We teach phonics, vocabulary and grammar in the context of the topic as part of this approach. We celebrate cultural events throughout the year and offer extra-curricular activities like international club, trips and exchanges.

How is this sequenced?

Learning Units are sequenced according to:

  • Communicative function - moving from most frequent to less frequent

  • Complexity of grammar – moving from less complex to more complex

Language chunks and sentence stems are revisited on a regular basis through retrieval practice to allow them to move to long-term memory. We also focus on transferrable structures and encourage students to use these across topics.

 

Topics at Key Stage 3 include:

  • Introducing myself

  • Family and friends

  • Free time activities

  • School

  • My town

  • Holidays

  • Media

  • Food and health

  • Fashion

Assessment

Students’ progress is assessed regularly through formative and summative assessment. They are encouraged to reflect upon their learning and to respond to their teacher’s feedback.

Textbooks

Textbooks are mostly used for home study and remote learning.

Spanish: ¡Claro! 1-2, Tony Weston and Author José Antonio García Sánchez

German: Stimmt! 1-2, Rachel Hawkes and Michael Spencer

French: Allez 1-2, Corrine Dzuilka-Heywood, Yvonne Kennedy et al

German, French or Spanish are available to students who have studied them at Key Stage 3 or who have a solid foundation of the language because they speak it at home.

Course Description:

Combining clear, concise and straightforward assessments with engaging, meaningful and relatable content, the new GCSE courses equip students for life and careers in a global setting. The vocabulary in this qualification enables students to communicate across a range of engaging and relatable thematic contexts, which are relevant to their current and future needs.

Subject Content:

  • My personal world

  • Lifestyle and wellbeing

  • My neighbourhood

  • Media and technology

  • Studying and my future

  • Travel and tourism 

Assessments:

GCSE languages have a Foundation tier (grades 1-5) and a Higher tier (grades 4-9). Students must take all examinations at the same tier. All examinations must be taken in the same series, at the end of Year 11. Each tier is worth 25% of the GCSE grade.

Paper 1: Speaking in German / French / Spanish

Paper 2: Listening and understanding in German / French / Spanish

Paper 3: Reading and understanding in German / French / Spanish

Paper 4: Writing in German / French / Spanish

Course Description:

During the course of your A-Level studies you will:

  • Develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, language learning.

  • Develop understanding of the language in a variety of contexts and genres.

  • Communicate confidently, clearly and effectively in the language for a range of purposes.

  • Develop awareness and understanding of the contemporary society, cultural background and heritage of countries or communities where the language is spoken.

  • Acquire knowledge, skills and understanding for practical use, further study and/or employment.

  • Take advantage of all opportunities to take part in cultural events and foreign trips.

Skills Required:

Knowledge, understanding and skills are closely linked in this course. You will continue to develop your ability to:

  • Understand and respond in speech and writing to a variety of authentic spoken and written sources.

  • Apply grammar and syntax accurately.

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of aspects of French/German/Spanish-speaking society.

  • Demonstrate flexibility when communicating both in speech and in writing.

  • Manipulate the language accurately to organise facts and ideas, present explanations, opinions, and information.

  • Analyse, hypothesise, evaluate, argue a case, justify, persuade, retort, develop arguments, and present viewpoints using the appropriate register

Method of Assessment:

Component 1: Listening, reading and translation – 40 % of total marks.

Component 2: Written response to works (literary texts and films) and translation – 30 % of total marks.

Component 3: Speaking (discussion on a theme and on independent research project) – 30% of total marks.


Progression:

Universities and employers look favourably on applicants with a high level of foreign language ability and languages can complement any higher education courses.