Modern Foreign Languages
In an increasingly globalised world, the need for us to learn and understand different languages and cultures has never been greater. Our aim in the Modern Foreign languages department is to encourage students to develop their ability to use languages effectively for practical communication. We want students to develop their understanding and enjoy spoken and written language.
We offer students insights into the way of life of the countries where the language is spoken, and encourage positive attitudes to other cultures. Students are taught to be aware of the nature of language, and encouraged to show enthusiasm for language learning.
| Head of Modern Foreign Languages | Mr A Collins |
|---|---|
| Second in Modern Foreign Languages | Mrs G Hollman |
| Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages | Mr J Wright |
| Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages | Mrs E Boross-Toby |
KS3
The vast majority of students in KS3 will have the opportunity to study two different foreign languages. All students will begin with Spanish in Year 7, with 75% of students picking up either French or German in addition to Spanish in Year 8, continuing into Year 9. At the end of Year 9 students will have the option to continue with one or two languages to GCSE or no language depending on their options pathway. We not only recognise, but highly value the wealth of different cultures and languages we have in our school community and will offer students who speak another language outside of school, the opportunity to gain a GCSE in their home language. Past students have achieved GCSEs in Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, Italian, Sinhala, Turkish, Punjabi and many others.
Our curriculum is designed with communication and engagement in mind, equipping students with the conversational skills they will need in a foreign language moving forwards, whilst ensuring that topics are of interest and are relevant to them in the modern world. Students will cover subjects such as technology, gaming, social media and influencers, holidays, movies and music and well as more contemporary topics of relevance to them such as the environment and their rights as young people.
Lessons are taught with a variety of resources and new technology by a very experienced staff team to reflect the differing needs of each child we teach. Assessments and curriculum are both designed to reflect the requirements of the brand new and far more accessible GCSE specification, ensuring that those who do continue as linguists, are fully equipped for the demands of the new GCSE before even beginning the course in Year 10.
Finally, we are big believers of students truly experiencing the cultures of the languages they are learning and offer various trips to enable this. For Spanish there is Seville for KS3 and Barcelona for KS4, for German we offer Aachen Christmas Markets at KS3 and Berlin in KS4 (A joint venture with our History department) and for French there is of course the Paris trip for Year 9 and above, with a view to introducing a smaller KS3 trip in the next year.
KS4
Studying a language up to GCSE is an interesting, stimulating and valuable experience. At The Highfield School, we strive to develop confident, enthusiastic linguists who can express themselves accurately and thoughtfully when speaking and writing.
As of 2017, we are training students for the new GCSE examination with AQA, which is assessed entirely at the end of Year 11. All four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are assessed and worth 25% each. The GCSE qualification places a high emphasis on a wide vocabulary and grasp of grammar, and they are trained in this right from the start of Year 7.
Topics build on those already studied at KS3, but go onwards to include some more thought provoking topics such as crime, poverty and the environment. Students are taught to express themselves freely and accurately through a combination of traditional teaching, new technology and interactive activities.
At Key Stage 4, shorter exercises and extended tasks will be set as homework in two or three lessons out of the five per fortnight, depending on how long they will take. GCSE students will also need to set aside time each week to review the language covered in lessons that week, practising spelling and pronunciation of new vocabulary. It is extremely important that vocabulary is being learnt, so as to ensure as much as possible is in students’ long-term memory for the exams at the end of the course. They will be set vocabulary learning homeworks, which should be taken as seriously as any written piece of homework.
KS4 - Year 10 - French Curriculum Map
KS5
In the Sixth-Form, students will move on from topics learnt at GCSE to look into more challenging topics, such as racism, crime & punishment, politics and immigration. At key stage 5, they will look into these sorts of issues from the perspective of countries of the target language. They will also have the opportunity to study works of literature and film, which is a hugely rewarding and interesting experience.
By the end of key stage 5, students will have a profound knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and be able to express themselves clearly and fluently in high-level conversations. They will learn how to argue and reason, as well as the grammar that helps them do that. Students are still assessed across all four language skills; listening, speaking, reading and writing.
In key stage 5, students will need to show their independence more than ever with regard to regular vocabulary and grammar learning, as well as keeping up to date with the notes and folders. With good learning habits learnt in key stage 3 and key stage 4, students will have the tools they need to enjoy success at key stage 5.
