MFL - Modern Foreign Languages

Introduction

Stratford Girls’ Grammar School believe that learning a foreign language provides an important opening to other cultures. We enable students to express their ideas and thoughts in another language, understanding and responding in both spoken and written scenarios. This creates effective communicators who can use language as a way to break down cultural barriers. Exchange programmes and/or residential trips to France, Spain and Germany are made available to expand the horizons and experiences of SGGS students. MFL students also have the opportunity to use the language learning facilities in the Stratford Language Centre and on-line learning platforms both in school and at home.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum:

All SGGS students learn French throughout Year 7, 8 and 9. The official language of the European Union, French is spoken by 200 million people in 42 countries across five continents. Students experience a Language and Culture Day in Year 7, as an introduction to the second language they may study in Year 8 and Year 9 – German or Spanish.

Year 7

Year 7 introduces students to French, with topics including family and school life; daily routines and free-time. All three main tenses are introduced as well as key grammatical structures necessary to create a solid base for further language learning in Years 8, 9 and beyond.

Year 8

Students of French will build on the topics and grammar covered in Year 7 and both reinforce and increase the complexity of the language they can understand and produce. All lessons feature a variety of listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation tasks.

Students who opt to study German from Year 8 have the opportunity to visit the beautiful town of Heidelberg for a five-day residential trip. This German course provides scope to practise all four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing; as well as introducing grammar such as word order, use of cases, adjective endings, use of prepositions and an introduction to present and past tense verbs. Students are immersed into many aspects of the culture and given insights into an assortment of traditions from the German-speaking world.

Spanish students are introduced to the language by covering basic concepts such as present tense verb endings, pronouns and adjectival agreements. Topics covered include greetings and introductions, schools and family, as well as leisure activities, home and local area. Students are encouraged to develop their cultural awareness and take part in enriching activities.

Year 9

Students are assessed once a term and regular progress checks are built into lessons to inform teaching and planning. Additional content areas for students of French are media, holidays, eating out, health and cultural topics.

In German, students build on their previous knowledge, reinforcing topics and grammar already learnt and increasing the complexity and range of their language. They continue to be immersed in the German-speaking world and given a real insight into culture and traditions of German-speaking countries. These skills and the knowledge attained give them a solid foundation from which they can step up to GCSE with confidence.

Spanish students develop the basic concepts already introduced such as the present tense, verbal and adjectival agreement and pronouns. In addition, they also cover the past and the future tenses. Topics covered include food, shopping, leisure activities and holidays. Students are encouraged to develop their cultural awareness and take part in enriching activities.

KS3 students in French use the newly published DYNAMO, in Spanish CLARO and in German ECHT, all supplemented by the relevant on-line learning subscriptions to enable students to practise their language skills.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum:

GCSE MFL is compulsory in Years 10 and 11. Students can choose their preferred language out of French, German or Spanish; or opt to be a dual linguist and continue with both of their MFL subjects. Students in KS3 and KS4 have summative assessments every term, with formative progress checks as a regular feature in lessons; to monitor progress and inform future planning and teaching. This provides students with an opportunity to experience and hone the skills necessary to succeed in the linear exams at GCSE and A-level.

Many students have the opportunity to take part in an Exchange/Residential Programme at GCSE, granting the opportunity to not only practise communicating but also to experience daily life in the chosen country and make friends for life. The high-quality languages education that students receive at SGGS fosters student curiosity and deepens their understanding of the world. We aim to inspire inquisitive linguists who have a thirst for learning about the world around them.

We also have dedicated grammar and revision resources to ensure accuracy and exam technique is practised regularly.

For more information, please view the latest resources available below.