MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
MR D WALKER
curriculum by allowing you to explore the life-style and culture of countries in which these languages are spoken. It can give you the experience of entering a foreign environment and existing within it. Coping for a while in a different language, whether in the classroom or in a foreign country, will be an enjoyable, rewarding and intellectually challenging experience. If you are able to communicate competently in French, German or Spanish this will enhance your ability to travel, make a wide circle of friends and gain a job in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world. You will need to be prepared for a world where greater skills in modern foreign languages will be very much in demand.
THE COURSE
WHAT WILL A LANGUAGE TEACH ME? Studying French, German and Spanish, amongst other languages, will teach you to attend to the meaning of words and sentences, to recognise differences in concepts and usage, and develop an awareness of the nature of language. It will enhance your ability to interact with others and you will learn to appreciate other people’s roots, concerns and cultures. You will also learn to appreciate your own culture. Learning a language will allow you to respect others more and promote greater tolerance. The developments in computer technology mean that the world is becoming ‘a smaller place’ and you can have instant access to French, German and Spanish culture, as well as to native French, German and Spanish speakers.
WHY SHOULD I STUDY FRENCH, GERMAN AND SPANISH? The experience of learning and using French, German and Spanish makes a unique contribution to the
24 / Key Stage 3 Curriculum Booklet 2021
In Year 7 you may choose one language from French, German or Spanish and you will be allocated your second modern foreign language. There are significant structural differences between French, German and Spanish and this gives real breadth to the language learning experience. You follow a very accessible and practical series of textbooks in the two languages you study which come with an impressive online blending learning package, which allows staff to monitor your progress. You will be able to do listening and reading comprehension exercises, in addition to grammar consolidation for prep. We have a digital language laboratory, which allows you to engage in listening tasks, often linked to the courses studied, at your own speed, and record yourself speaking in the foreign language. This means that you will have personalised feedback on pronunciation from your teachers, as well as offering more opportunities for independent learning. We also use music, DVD and the Internet, including subscriptions to a number of excellent websites which can be used in class and at home. The Pearson course books we use across Years 7-9 have excellent online resources to support all four skills and the grammar. Staff can analyse pupil progression in great detail and use this information to inform future teaching. Pupils who currently use this material have responded very favourably.
WILL THERE BE OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL? Yes, but the circumstances of the past year have meant we have not been able to travel abroad as usual. However, our intention is to continue with trips to Germany, Spain and France in Year 8 and Year 9 on a biennial basis. Traditionally we have visited Paris, Seville and the Rhineland, but these are subject to change. The trips are designed to give pupils a taste of the culture and language before hopefully participating in an exchange in Year 10 and above to Germany and/or France and/or Spain.
