Languages
Intent
The MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) department aims to create and develop enthusiastic and independent learners of French and Spanish. We are committed to establishing a learning environment that encourages students to feel confident about taking risks and developing informed opinions about the world around them. Our curriculum prioritizes learning over teaching; we want students to reflect on and enhance their skills, ask questions, and embrace challenges. There will be opportunities for students to independently extend their skills beyond the classroom, thereby preparing them for life beyond Cornelius Vermuyden School.
Knowledge and Skills
Studying French and Spanish encourages the development of a wide range of transferable skills. Students of French and Spanish should be capable of doing all of the following:
- Learning about France/Spain and French/Spanish-speaking countries.
- Gathering and reading different types of information in the target language.
- Developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in another language.
- Communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Presenting arguments and considering different viewpoints in a foreign language.
- Increasing confidence in speaking and writing in French and Spanish.
- Learning transferable skills such as problem-solving and the ability to think on your feet, which can help in all areas.
- Exploring popular French and Spanish culture, including music and film.
Curriculum Overview
Key Stage 3
All students study French or Spanish at Key Stage 3, enabling them to learn about and explore various aspects of France and Spain, as well as the French and Spanish languages and cultures. Students delve into topics as varied as school, free time, family life, town, social media, Paris, identity, home, health and fitness, and holidays.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, students complete a full GCSE qualification in French or Spanish, with examinations taking place at the end of Year 11. They will sit four examinations, either at Foundation or Higher Level, each worth 25% of the overall result:
- Paper 1: Listening
- Paper 2: Speaking
- Paper 3: Reading and English Translation
- Paper 4: Writing and French/Spanish Translation
During the course, students will explore themes and topics such as identity and culture, local area, holiday and travel, school, future aspirations, study and work, and the international and global dimension.
Career Opportunities in Languages
The study of French and Spanish allows you to develop skills that can lead to many different career choices. Some examples of careers you could pursue include community development, linguistics, airport work, language engineering, customer services, bilingual classroom assisting, cruise ship work, interpreting, intelligence/security work, the diplomatic service, tourist information work, international law, hotel management, tour operating, the European Commission, aid work, exporting/importing, immigration, travel agency work, and teaching English abroad, to name but a few. The opportunities are endless...
French and Spanish (or any other language, for that matter) are accepted by all employers and universities because the wide range of skills and knowledge provided allows students to develop as individuals. Most universities offer courses in these subjects, giving students the opportunity for further development.
Year 7 Curriculum Overview
| What are we learning? | What knowledge, understanding and skills will we gain? | What will excellence look like? | How will this be assessed? |
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Introductions
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Vocabulary relating to family, physical descriptions/descriptions of personality, likes and dislikes, talking about what people do.
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Students will quickly show progress in using key vocab of the unit and be able to apply the grammar rules in their speaking and writing, as well as recognising relevant information when they read and listen.
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Ongoing self/peer/teacher assessments of classwork and homework, culminating in end of Unit tests.
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| School | Vocabulary relating to school subjects, uniform, routines, life of a typical French student. | Students will continue to refine their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. They will recognise more commonly used words and phrases and elevate their use of French grammar. | Ongoing self/peer/teacher assessments of classwork and homework, ending with end of unit tests. |
Year 8 Curriculum Overview
| What are we learning? | What knowledge, understanding and skills will we gain? | What will excellence look like? | How will this be assessed? |
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Topic: Holidays
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Vocabulary relating to destinations, activities, weather, culture and food/drink.
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Students will show increasing proficiency in using the key vocabulary and grammar of the unit, in particular when talking about what they usually do on holiday, and what they did previously.
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Ongoing self/peer/teacher assessment of classwork and homework, concluding in end of Unit tests. |
| Festivals and Celebrations |
Vocabulary for a variety of key festivals, including Carnival. Describing a festival in detail, including what food and drink is served at these festivals. Talking about a trip planned for the future. |
Students will demonstrate a deeper knowledge of the key grammar of the Unit- specifically the present and past tenses. | Ongoing self/peer/teacher assessment of classwork and homework, and end of Unit tests. |
Year 9 Curriculum Overview
| What are we learning? | What knowledge, understanding and skills will we gain? | What will excellence look like? | How will this be assessed? |
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Talking about ourselves
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Likes/dislikes After school clubs and activities Friends and friendships Birthday celebrations Clothes for different occasions. |
Students will increase capability in using the present/past and future tenses in spoken and written French, and in understanding what they hear and read. They will be able to manipulate the language successfully and employ repair strategies when they make an error in communication.
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Ongoing self/peer/teacher assessments of classwork and homework. End of Unit tests. |
| Talking about future plans |
Talking about what you want to do when you are older Discussing what things will be like in the future. |
Increased fluency in using the three key tenses of a language – present/past/future Competency in using common and less common vocabulary and phrases. |
Ongoing self/peer/teacher assessments of classwork and homework. End of Unit tests. |
Year 10 Curriculum Overview
| What are we learning? | What knowledge, understanding and skills will we gain? | What will excellence look like? | How will this be assessed? |
| xx | xx | xx | xx |
Year 11 Curriculum Overview
| What are we learning? | What knowledge, understanding and skills will we gain? | What will excellence look like? | How will this be assessed? |
| xx | xx | xx | xx |
