Modern Foreign Languages

Key Stage 3

The aim of the Key Stage 3 Modern Foreign Languages curriculum is to provide students with the tools necessary to listen, speak, read and write in French as well as to learn more about France and the French speaking world. Throughout the course, students learn the grammatical structures and vocabulary needed to interact with a French native speaker in a variety of situations, including: introducing yourself, talking about where you live and transactional situations such as shopping and organising holidays.

At Key Stage 3, all students will receive four French lessons every fortnight. These lessons are supported by a clear learning and homework plan which helps students to reinforce key structures and language by building on their previous knowledge. It also gives them an appreciation of their own first language. This works as a solid foundation for study at Key Stage 4.

Students gain skills highly valued by employers, such as: independent learning, public speaking, listening and appreciation of different viewpoints and experiences.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, the majority of students continue with their French studies and complete the GCSE qualification. For keener linguists, we offer the opportunity to take GCSE Spanish which has proved a popular option. Students study the AQA GCSE specification and cover topics inside three main themes:

Theme 1 – Identity and Culture
Theme 2 – Local, National, International and Global areas of interest
Theme 3 – Current and future study and employment

Students sit four equally weighted examinations at the end of year 11 – listening, speaking, reading and writing. There are two tiers of entry: Foundation (which enables students to achieve a grade 1-5) and Higher (which enables students to achieve grades 4-9).

In addition, students are able to sit a GCSE in their home language (please check the AQA and Pearson Edexcel websites for the languages offered).

Curriculum Overview

Please follow the links to view the exam board specifications which we teach in Key Stage 4 and see the document below for Key Stage 3 roadmap

AQA GCSE French

AQA GCSE Spanish

Assessment

Students complete a mid-year assessment following the school assessment calendar, and the United Learning end of year assessment in Term 6.

GCSE students have full mock examinations in years 10 and 11.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

We offer an enrichment programme including Key Stage 3 Spanish language and culture, French culture and Latin classes inside the Cambridge cluster.

We also hope to offer both a day trip and a residential trip to France in the near future.