Modern Foreign Languages
The Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages
In Languages we seek to nurture, develop and enable students’ linguistic skills and knowledge so that they are able to value, compete and prosper in a global environment. Through their language learning, they will demonstrate commitment, work ethic, resilience, and will develop a sense of global citizenship and personal fulfilment.
The MFL Curriculum
Languages are part of the cultural richness of our school community, our society as a whole and the world in which we live and work. We intend to equip our students to be able to compete in the global market in which they will grow up. A foreign language will add value to whatever route they will decide to take later in life. Moreover, learning languages contributes to mutual understanding. Through learning a language, young people will learn to appreciate different countries, cultures, communities and people. By learning about different cultures and making comparisons, young people gain insight into their own culture and society.
Aims of the Curriculum
The aims of the MFL curriculum is to ensure that students:
- Develop an ability to understand and communicate in another language. Students will be able to understand, provide information and present opinions on a range of topics relating to their own experiences and those of other people including those in French / German speaking countries
- Are given opportunities to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills which supports literacy work across the curriculum.
- Get the opportunity to express themselves with increasing confidence, independence and creativity.
- Through being exposed to two languages, are alerted to generic language learning skills which will transfer across different languages and which will become part of their lifelong learning should they wish to or be called upon to learn a different language in the future. Students will explore the similarities and differences between other languages and English and learn to manipulate and apply language patterns
- Increase fluency in the foreign language. This in turn will build personal confidence and promote self-esteem.
- Become resilient. Students are encouraged to concentrate on depth before breadth to master the skills that will enable them to communicate with confidence.
What languages do children learn at Fernwood?
In Year 7 pupils start either French or German, depending on what tutor group they are in, and have two lessons per week.
Pupils continue with their starter language throughout key stage 3 (two hours a week) and some budding linguists will be invited to attend an after-school club where they will be given the opportunity to learn a second language.