Events Calendar
Head of MFL: Mrs Appleyard
"Learning Languages opens up so many exciting opportunities for young people. Our enthusiastic department ensures every pupil is able to communicate in another language, just in case the opportunity arises! Languages are set to become more and more crucial as the years go on and acquiring these skills could become one of your most important assets. The opportunities for working internationally and traveling abroad will be at your fingertips."
Departmental Aims
Our department work closely together to ensure learning a new language is a stimulating, relevant experience. Every teacher with the MFL has spent a period of time living in a French or Spanish speaking country and this means that we are passionate about languages.
We aim to:
- Teach students about the cultural aspects, festivals and lifestyle of French or Spanish speaking countries
- Teach students phrases that can be used in real-life situations
- Instil a love of language learning
- Explain foreign grammatical concepts in a way that will enhance their understanding of the English language
- Provide opportunities for pupils to liaise with native speakers through the written and spoken word
We are aware that our students may have studied a Modern Foreign Language at primary school. To ensure students make progress, we bypass the ‘basics’ that are often covered and follow a programme that will promote sentence learning.
In Year 7, pupils begin their journey studying the following areas:
- Myself & others
- Free time (sports & activities)
- Town
Language Students
In Year 8, we build upon the grammatical skills and tenses learned in Year 7 and cover new topics like:
- Holidays
- Free time (technology & arranging to go out)
- Summer camps
- Talent Shows
At the end of Year 8 your child will be placed into a pathway for their Options Choices. Those on the Language Pathway will continue with the language they have studied up to GCSE and those on the General Pathway will have the option of choosing to continue with this.
In Year 9 we begin the GCSE course.
Pupils are trained in the skills needed for all 4 components of the GCSE examinations:
- Listening
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
Pupils will be expected to complete weekly homework of both vocabulary learning and set tasks. Rather than using textbooks, we use an online learning platform which also enables pupils to undertake revision and consolidation tasks.
In Year 10 we continue learning the topic content for the AQA GCSE course.
At this stage it will become clearer as to which tier students work more comfortably in. Foundation tier students are capped at a grade 5, whereas Higher tier students can achieve grades between 4-9. One lesson a week will focus on the skills needed for the Speaking examination which entails:
- a photocard description
- a roleplay
- 2 general conversation topics
Pupils will get the opportunity to sit a full mock examination in all 4 skills, just like they will in Year 11.
By Year 11, most of the topics have been covered and the remainder of the time is used for consolidation, revision and skills based learning.
Pupils will have 2 further opportunities to sit mock examinations and this will inform their tier of entry.
In Year 11 there is a more concentrated focus on the writing and grammar skills needed for the higher marks.
In Year 7, students will study either French or Spanish, depending on the class that they are in. Students then follow this language up to the end of Y8 or GCSE if they are on the Language Pathway. If there is a particular reason that you want your child to study either French or Spanish, you should - where possible - make Mrs Appleyard aware before your child starts school.
If you ever visit a French or Spanish speaking country, the MFL team are always be grateful for any leaflets or maps you may be able to pick up!
John Spendluffe Technology College
Hanby Lane
Alford
LN13 9BL
T: 01507 462443 | F: 01507 462013 | office@jstc.org.uk