MFL
Leader: Ms Legros
The MFL department has 1 full-time teachers and 3 part-time teachers. There is also a faculty assistant who provides full administrative support.
The MFL department has three dedicated language classrooms with digital projectors. They also share a dedicated ICT suite with the Humanities department where students can access helpful websites. They have a wide range of textbooks, recently renewed, which follow the National Framework for Languages. Students also build a folder with all the resources used during their three years of language teaching including worksheets, assessments, homework and leaflets to assist in revision for assessment and progression onto GCSE level.
We alternate French and Spanish, so Year 7 are studying French and will carry will on in Year 8 and 9, but in 2012 Year 7 will study Spanish. Lessons focus on practical topics for visits to France and Spain, such as ordering a meal, going to the doctor, meeting and greeting and so there is a strong emphasis on speaking skills.
Students will have tests in class five times each year to assess their progress against their targets. At the end of Year 7, the result of Assessment 5 and teacher's feedback is used to move students into "Express Groups" for Years 8 and 9.
Students are able to reinforce and extend their learning outside the classroom with the homework.
The team strongly recommends that students study a language at GCSE, due to the introduction of the ebac audit. This will also help their university application portfolio and widen their career opportunities. Students prepare for the AQA GCSE syllabus which assesses four skills; Reading , Writing, Speaking and Listening. As in KS3, importance is placed on practical situations such as booking a hotel room, getting information from a tourist office, writing a CV and various general everyday situations.
There will be an excitng trip in June 2012 to Disneyland Paris for all Year 9 students who will be opting for MFL in Year 10. This will give them a fantastic opportunity to sample the culture and language.
Our students also take part in the European day of Language and enjoy organising a croissant sale. The Year 7 students are currently busy preparing for the Spelling Bee.
