Modern Foreign Languages
Language is the road map of a culture, it tells you where its people come from and where they are going’
Rita Mae Brown
Our vision in the MFL Department is that languages will take you further and beyond in life, improve your cognitive abilities and your literacy skills. Therefore, students should explore possibilities beyond frontiers, and this is achievable through breaking language and culture barriers.
Although we can only introduce them to Spanish and French language and culture, we take every opportunity to encourage debate about other languages and cultures in an interactive way as part of an enjoyable learning experience. Knowledge of culture is essential in our conception of language learning. We promote intercultural, inter-linguistic discussion and contrastive analysis at all Key Stages.
In MFL we are committed to this vision and through our department, St. George’s School has been awarded International School Award Foundation Certificate: Introducing Internationalism. See below
British Council International Award Foundation Letter
MFL Curriculum
We offer both French and Spanish from Year 7 to Year 13. In Years 7 and 8 half of students study French and the other half study Spanish. Normally, at the end of Year 9 students opt to do French or Spanish for their GCSE.
We provide a broad MFL curriculum that is connected to other subject areas with variable routes through the key stages to allow students to maximise their attainment by developing the skills and talents they already hold. We understand the importance of a spiral curriculum; thematic content and the linguistic transition are connected bottom to top and top to bottom.
Our MFL curriculum has been designed to give students the knowledge, understanding and skills to progress onto the next stage of their education, irrespective of their prior attainment, background or ethnicity. Nonetheless, we also take into account the validity of languages in the world and how they are a means of unifying cultures through awareness of common values. We have included explicit mention to each cultural area in our Schemes of Work.
Want to find out more?
If you wish to find out more about Modern Foreign Languages at St George’s please feel free to contact Ms S Redondo at S.Redondo@stgeorgesrc.org
KS3
Students of Spanish or French have two hour-long lessons per week. The department follows the National Curriculum for MFL putting special attention to improving students’ general language skills and developing their enthusiasm to get to know other cultures.
By the end of Year 9 our students can understand, express and develop their ideas in a number of topic areas such as: personal information and local area, home, school, holidays, French and Spanish Speaking countries, the workplace, shopping, free time and leisure pursuits.
We provide KS3 extra support once a week on Tuesday period 6.
We have included all the new requirements in our curriculum as per the Government research in Modern Languages and we have enhanced the importance of grammar, vocabulary, and phonics in our lesson delivery and assessments.
Assessment
In addition to our teachers' and assistants' immediate feedback on their language use, students are leveled every half-term through end-of-unit tests. These tests assess students across the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Homework
Students are given their own vocabulary and grammar booklet at the beginning of the year for their own personal study. They have access to Active Learn where they are asked to complete reading and listening tasks once a week, normally on the first lesson. We also have a range of homework books with differentiated material for extra practice. Extended writing tasks are set at least once a week. We provide diagnostic comments at least once every three weeks to provide students with guidance towards their targets.
Every half-term, we set independent culturally enhanced tasks that aim to encourage students to explore cultural similarities and differences with the target language countries and to start thinking about taking languages in the future.
Useful Links
Grammar: http://www.languagesonline.org.uk/Hotpotatoes/Index.htm
Please, see our Independent learning area below on this website for extra language learning support.
KS4
At KS4, students have two lessons a week and have one hour period 6 revision session per fortnight. We also arrange Saturday and half-term revisions near examination times or as intervention for particular students. We run two intervention sessions in the morning before registration for students who are struggling with either French or Spanish.
According to the current MFL Curriculum students study GCSE French or Spanish from Year 10.
Year 10 students follow the new MFL Curriculum.
In this current year 10, students will do their MFL exams following the new curriculum. The new curriculum emphasises the value of listening and reading authentic material and expects students to speak and write spontaneously.
The new curriculum aims to make languages more accessible to students through the core pillars of language: grammar, vocabulary, and phonics. The new exams are less ambiguous with rubrics in English and no vocabulary outside the one set for GCSE by the government. New exam elements are dictation, read-aloud tasks, and the addition of another photo card in the speaking exams.
These new skills are embedded in our lessons and assessments.
The current year 11 follows the previous, more demanding curriculum.
The French and Spanish GCSE courses are taught over 2 years starting in Year 10 until Year 11. The 4 skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing are all assessed over the two courses to allow for plenty of practice before real exams.
All students will have the opportunity to work with a Foreign Language Assistant to hone their speaking skills. The MFL Department also offers students the opportunity to sit exams in their native language that count towards the number of GCSEs at the end of year 11. Students should contact the Head of Department at the start of Year 10 to arrange this.
Homework
Students are given their own vocabulary and grammar booklet at the beginning of the year for their study. They have access to Active Learn where they are asked to complete reading and listening tasks once a week, normally in the first lesson. We also have a range of homework books with differentiated material for extra practice. We set a writing task on the second lesson we see the students. We provide diagnostic comments at least once every three weeks to guide students toward their targets.
At Key Stage 4, every half term students will have speaking preparation tasks on two units (one from Year 10 and one from Year 11) that have been covered in class and a Year 10 revision unit that has been covered in revision. The interleaving of Years 10 and 11 areas has proved very effective for exam revision by distributing the preparation for exams across the year. These speaking questions are also inside their grammar and vocabulary booklet.
Every half term we set independent culturally enhanced tasks that aim to make them explore cultural similarities and differences with the target language countries and to encourage them to start thinking about taking languages for A Level.
Exam Board
The Examination Board used is AQA. Each examination assesses one of the four skills. Each exam is worth 25% of the overall GCSE. Students must either sit all Foundation tier or all Higher tier examinations.
Assessment
Each half term students are assessed on a combination of the skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
All written assessments follow the exact format of the GCSE examination. In Year 11 students will be assessed on their performance on AQA past examination papers. There is also an internal MFL mock speaking examination in December which is exactly like the actual speaking examination which takes place after Easter each year. We have whole school mock examinations in November and March which in MFL consist of Listening, Reading and Writing. By the Easter holidays students will have an accurate idea of which area they have to revise to reach their desired grade.
Final examinations are taken in all 4 skill areas, each counting for 25% of the total GCSE.
New year 10 topics
Students will be expected to use the prescribed vocabulary and grammar across a range of contexts and assessment tasks.
Theme 1: People and lifestyle
Theme 1 covers the following three topics:
- Topic 1: Identity and relationships with others
- Topic 2: Healthy living and lifestyle
- Topic 3: Education and work
Theme 2: Popular culture
Theme 2 covers the following three topics:
- Topic 1: Free-time activities
- Topic 2: Customs, festivals and celebrations
- Topic 3: Celebrity culture
Theme 3: Communication and the world around us
Theme 3 covers the following three topics:
- Topic 1: Travel and tourism, including places of interest
- Topic 2: Media and technology
- Topic 3: The environment and where people live
Current year 11 topics
Theme 1: Identity and culture covers the following four topics with related sub-topics shown as bullet points:
Topic 1: Me, my family and friends
- Relationships with family and friends
- Marriage/partnership
Topic 2: Technology in everyday life
- Social media
- Mobile technology
Topic 3: Free-time activities
- Music
- Cinema and TV
- Food and eating out
- Sport
Topic 4: Customs and festivals in Spanish/French-speaking countries/communities
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest covers the following four topics with related sub-topics shown as bullet points:
Topic 1: Home, town, neighbourhood and region
Topic 2: Social issues
- Charity/voluntary work
- Healthy/unhealthy living
Topic 3: Global issues
- The environment
- Poverty/homelessness
Topic 4: Travel and tourism
Theme 3: Current and future study and employment covers the following four topics:
Topic 1: My studies
Topic 2: Life at school/college
Topic 3: Education post-16
Topic 4: Jobs, career choices and ambitions
How parents can support students:
- Check Show My homework and ensure that all tasks are completed
- Assist students with vocabulary learning by testing them
- Encourage students to go on language links (see below in Useful Links)
- Help test students on their speaking booklet questions
- Purchase the CPG revision guides and workbooks
KS5
At Key Stage 5 MFL classes have 5 hours of weekly contact and a further minimum of one hour with the language assistant, by arrangement. Again, we are fortunate to be able to offer such support by native speakers.
Homework
At Key Stage 5, we set homework tasks that require higher independence. The main core of the A Level courses relies on cultural content We also set guided tasks to model language and higher level evaluation and critical analysis of cultural content. However, at this high level real learning takes place through individual and independent research. We provide links to enhance students’ language and cultural skills.
Students must read and analyse a literary text and a film on their own time.
Every half term as per previous years we set independent cultural research tasks that aim to make them explore cultural similarities and differences with the target language countries and to encourage them to pursue languages in the future.
AS and A Level
Students are sitting their real A Level language exam by the end of year 13. However, there will be an internal AS MFL exam at the end of year 12 to provide a milestone for their second year A Level exam at the end of year 13.
In these exams, there is a stronger emphasis on the cultural knowledge of the target language country. The course leads to obtaining a standalone qualification if students decide to sit their exam either in year 1 for an AS in Spanish or year 2 for an A Level in Spanish. The marks from the AS Level exam do not count towards the A Level qualification which students can choose to take or not.
Our school currently only offers the A Level examination in the second year (in year 13).
The main content areas are as follows:
General AS and A-level French/Spanish themes and sub-themes
Aspects of Francophone / Spanish society (AS and A-level)
- Modern and traditional values
- Cyberspace
- Equal rights
Artistic culture in the Francophone world (AS and A-level)
- Modern day idols
- French/Spanish / Spanish regional identity
- Cultural heritage
Multiculturalism in Francophone/ Spanish society (A-level)
- Immigration
- Racism
- Integration
Aspects of political life in the Francophone/ Spanish world (A-level)
- Today's youth, tomorrow's citizens
- Monarchies and dictatorships
- Popular movements
Exams
AS Level:
Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing. 1 hour and 40 minutes. 45% of total AS marks (90 marks).
Candidates will listen, read and respond to spoken passages from a range of contexts and sources. Questions in French/Spanish to be answered with non-verbal responses or in French/Spanish
Summarising information from spoken and written sources, reporting key points and subject matter in speech and writing.
There will also be a translation into English.
Paper 2 - Writing. 1 hour and 30 minutes. 25% of AS (50 marks).
Either one question in French/Spanish on a set text from a choice of two questions or one question in French/Spanish on a set film from a choice of two questions (35 marks).
Translation into French/Spanish; a passage of minimum 70 words (15 marks).
Paper 3 - Speaking. 12 – 14 minutes plus 15 minutes preparation time. 30% of AS marks (50 marks).
Candidates will discuss two sub-themes (6 – 7 minutes on each) with the discussion based on a stimulus card for each sub-theme.
A Level - Second Year:
Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing. 2 hours and 30 minutes. 50% of total A level marks (100 marks).
Summarising information from spoken and written sources, reporting key points and subject matter in speech and writing
- translating an unseen passage from French/Spanish into English
- translating an unseen passage from English into French/Spanish.
Paper 2 - Writing. 2 hours. 20% of A level (80 marks).
Either ONE/TWO questions in French/Spanish on a set text from a choice of two questions AND/OR one question in French/Spanish on a set film from a choice of two questions. 300 words (40 marks each).
Paper 3 - Speaking. 21-23 minutes (16-18 plus 5 minutes preparation time). 30% of A level marks (60 marks).
16-18 minutes plus 5 minutes preparation. The 5 minutes’ preparation time will take place in the examination room in the presence of the examiner. Students may make notes during the preparation period.
- One Stimulus Card: 5-6 minutes.
- Presentation of Individual Research Project: 2 minutes
- Discussion based on Individual Research Project: 9-10 minutes
Set Texts for French
- Molière Le Tartuffe
- Voltaire Candide
- Guy de Maupassant Boule de Suif et autres contes de la guerre
- Albert Camus L’étranger
- Françoise Sagan Bonjour tristesse
- Claire Etcherelli Elise ou la vraie vie
- Joseph Joffo Un sac de billes
- Faïza Guène Kiffe kiffe demain
- Philippe Grimbert Un secret
- Delphine de Vigan No et moi
Set Films for French
- Les 400 coups François Truffaut (1959)
- Au revoir les enfants Louis Malle (1987)
- La Haine Mathieu Kassovitz (1995)
- L’auberge espagnole Cédric Klapisch (2002)
- Un long dimanche de fiançailles Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2004)
- Entre les murs Laurent Cantet (2008)
Set Texts for Spanish
- Federico García Lorca La casa de Bernarda Alba
- Gabriel García Márquez Crónica de una muerte anunciada
- Laura Esquivel Como agua para chocolate
- Ramón J. Sender Réquiem por un campesino español
- Carlos Ruiz Zafón La sombra del viento
- Isabel Allende La casa de los espíritus
- Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer Rimas
- Fernando Fernán-Gómez Las bicicletas son para el verano
- Luis de Castresana El otro árbol de Guernica
- Gabriel García Márquez El coronel no tiene quien le escriba
Set Films for Spanish
- El laberinto del fauno Guillermo del Toro (2006)
- Ocho apellidos vascos Emilio Martínez-Lázaro (2014)
- María, llena eres de gracia Joshua Marston (2004)
- Volver Pedro Almodóvar (2006)
- Abel Diego Luna (2010)
- Las 13 rosas Emilio Martínez-Lázaro (2007)
Enrichment in MFL
The department provides multiple opportunities for students to gain first-hand knowledge of Spanish and French culture through the continuous help of native language assistants and trips. In previous years these have included: BFI MFL INSET Days, trips to the French Institute, Everyman Cinemas, and the theatre.
This is the offer for this year, however, our trips will depend on availability in the school calendar.
https://www.bfimessages.org.uk/t/y-e-mjklutk-iljuhdhujy-r/
The French/Spanish clubs take place every Wednesday after school where students develop their language skills through songs and games with native speakers. We have also run a French Day Trip for year 7 students in June every year and our Spanish students went to Spain for a week in March 2024.
Some of the international initiatives that have taken place in school and online:
- Starting a British Council Connecting Classrooms partnership with a French-speaking school in Morocco -which we marked with the Moroccan Themed School Lunch and Eid-al-Fitr celebration.
- A French Institute runs a song workshop webinar for year 7.
- The year 10 Language Ambassadors programme for students to promote multilingualism and worked on the Stephen Spender Poetry Translation prize.
- A University of Westminster webinar for year 10 on studying languages at University and beyond.
At Key stage 5, we attend MFL INSET days at BFI on the films that are set on the French and Spanish specifications. We have also organised theatre outings to Cervantes Theater London to see La Casa de los Espíritus and we also liaise with the French Institute, Instituto Cervantes for special events.
In year 12, we normally take part in the LCLC Programme each year. The London Centre for Languages and Cultures is a collaboration between Pembroke College (University of Oxford), the Open University and the Tri-Borough. As part of this programme students attend several MFL workshops at Westminster Academy, two university days of MFL lectures at the University of Oxford and they participate in a Summer School three-day residential stay later on in June at Pembroke College, University of Oxford. All costs for this programme are covered.
Independent Learning
In general, in MFL learning in the classroom is enhanced through self-study, which are set every week, and consist of vocabulary learning, extended writing tasks (including creative writing), exam practice, and quizzes.
Students of Modern Foreign Languages need to be resilient language learners. Within the MFL classroom, we consistently emphasise that mistakes are to be celebrated as part of the learning process. We believe that MFL learning takes place when students decide how they move on from these errors. This open environment allows students to grow in confidence and not feel intimidated in speaking out in front of the class. Opportunities for reflection are built in at regular intervals, and the curriculum is designed to build students’ independence. See Independent Learning links below for Spanish and French.
Spanish Useful Links
French Useful Links
Careers
With globalization, language skills have become a useful adjunct to almost any combination of A-level subjects. Students whose main interest is language should continue to study languages at A level and beyond. Employers say they value the key skills developed by language learners – these include: communication skills, team working skills, interpersonal skills, presentation skills, problem-solving skills, organisational skills, good learning strategies, and independence. Languages can be continued as single or combined studies at University. It is possible to study a language in combination with almost any other subject, but particularly useful are Business Studies, Travel and Tourism, Accountancy and Law.
In our school, we promote language careers through advertising during registration on special occasions (the European Day of Languages on the 26th of September) and during key year 9, 10, 11, and Six Form assemblies. We collaborate closely with our careers coordinator Ms Averill and a whole school Culture Day was organised in July 2024 by an MFL member.
See more examples of language careers at university here:
For further information on language careers in Europe, ask Ms Redondo and look here: https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/domain/languages