Learning a language is not only fun and fulfilling when put to use in target language countries, but also teaches many transferable skills such as listening for detail, deduction, communication strategies and writing skills. French and German are both taught from Key Stages 3 to 5 by a team of enthusiastic and talented linguists. We believe it is important to teach MFL using a wide variety of activities and resources to build the core skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing in the target language. The following activities are common in our teaching: interactive whiteboard vocabulary introduction and games, grammar exercises, role-play, group work, listening comprehensions, reading tasks and writing exercises. The subject also develops pupils’ awareness of the history and culture of the countries in which the language is spoken.
“You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once”
Eastern European proverb
In addition to classroom based study, we value the importance of visits to France and Germany in order to widen pupils’ understanding of different cultures and customs and, of course, to improve their knowledge of the language. Trips to France are a feature of the year for both Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four students. Pupils studying German can join the German Exchange with our partner school in Nettetal. We recently celebrated 40 years of this successful partnership!
KS3
In Year 7 all pupils study French. In Years 8 and 9 pupils continue to study French and also start learning either German or Latin (see Classics) in addition to French.
French:
Pupils follow the ‘Expo’ French course throughout KS3 and their progress is assessed at the end of each Module.
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TERM 1 |
TERM 2 |
TERM 3 |
TERM 4 |
TERM 5 |
TERM 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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YEAR 7 |
C’est parti! |
Famille et copains |
Chez moi |
On va en ville |
Ma journée |
On s’amuse |
|
YEAR 8 |
Famille et domicile |
Temps libre |
Les sorties |
Manger et boire |
Voyages et vacances |
Les copains |
|
YEAR 9 |
Ça t'intéresse? |
L'avenir |
En bonne santé? |
II était une fois.. Les gens comme nous |
On y va! |
Les droits des jeunes |
German:
Pupils follow the ‘Echo Express’ German course in Year 8 and Year 9 and their progress is assessed at the end of each Unit.
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TERM 1 |
TERM 2 |
TERM 3 |
TERM 4 |
TERM 5 |
TERM 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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YEAR 8 |
Hallo! |
Die Schule |
Familie und Freunde |
Freizeit |
Mein Zuhause |
Stadt und Land |
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YEAR 9 |
Die Ferien |
Einkaufen und Essen |
Nach der Schule |
Gesundheit |
Wir gehen aus |
Austausch |
KS4
In Years 10 and 11, all pupils must take at least one Language within their GCSE options (French and/or German or Latin). At KS4 pupils’ language skills are developed further to enable them to discuss, describe, give and justify opinions in the following topic areas:
Year 10 French
- Sport & Leisure
- Customs & Festivals
- Technology in Everyday Life
- Family & Friends
- Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region
- Social Issues
Year 11 French
- Environment
- Lifestyle Choices
- Travel & Tourism
- Life at School and College
- Jobs, Career Choices & Ambitions
Year 10 German
- Me, My Family and Friends
- Technology in Everyday Life
- Free-time Activities
- Customs & Festivals
- Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region
- Social Issues
Year 11 German
- Global Issues
- Travel & Tourism
- My Studies, Life at School and College
- Education Post-16
- Jobs, Career Choices & Ambitions
We follow the AQA GCSE Course. The examinations take place at the end of Year 11. Examinations test the students’ skills in Listening, Reading, Writing, Translation and Speaking.
KS5
In Years 12 and 13, students can take A2 courses in French and German. We follow the AQA course and the students develop their listening, reading, writing and speaking skills as we cover topics on Popular Culture, Media, Relationships and Healthy Lifestyle. As well as extensive practice in the lessons, students can use our interactive website and they also have individual sessions with our Foreign Language Assistant in order to give them further speaking practice. Students take the A2 examinations at the end of Year 13. During this final Year, topics like Political issues, Contemporary Social Issues and Immigration are covered in lessons, and the students also have the opportunity to study widely known books and films from the French- or German-speaking world.
Year 12 French
New Technologies, Evolution of the Family Unit, Cinema in the French-speaking world, Fashion and Music in francophone culture, Voluntary work, France’s cultural heritage.
Year 13 French
Study of two cultural pieces, “Un Sac de Billes”, “La Haine”, Crime and Punishment, Multiculturalism, Politics in the French-speaking world, Industrial relations.
Year 12 German
Festivals and Traditions in the German-speaking world, Berlin and its cultural and artistic heritage, Fashion and Music in the German-speaking world, the evolution of the Family Unit, German Art and Architecture.
Year 13 German
Immigration, Politics in Germany, the Re-unification of Germany and its legacy, Germany and the EU, study of two cultural pieces, “Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei” and “Der Besuch der alten Dame”.
Modern Languages Staff:
Mr Alister Drakeford (AJD): Head of Modern Languages Department and Teacher of French & German
Mrs Tina Streeter (THS): Head of KS3&4 German and Teacher of French
Mrs Amanda Remedios (AAR): Teacher of French & German
Mrs Jane Wilson (JLW): Teacher of French & Academic Head of Year 12
Mrs Emma Clarke (EJC): Teacher of French
Mrs Fiona Attwell (FAA): Teacher of German
Mrs Heike Penny (PH): Foreign Language Assistant (German)
Mrs Shona Rickard (SR): Foreign Language Assistant (French)
