Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

Aims

In teaching MFL we aim to:

• develop every pupil within the subject to his or her maximum potential
• provide a fun, enjoyable and stimulating language-learning experience
• promote the effective use of the target language in both classroom and real-life situations
• equip the pupils with the skills to communicate in both spoken and written forms
• develop the skills and attitudes necessary to facilitate further study of modern foreign languages at GCSE and beyond
• further children’s awareness of the world, its peoples and its cultures.

Organisation

Head of Department – Mr R Walker

Our main language is French; all pupils study French in the Prep Department (Years 3 to 8) and are all taught by subject specialists. In Year 7, pupils also have the opportunity to learn a second language, choosing from either German, Mandarin or Spanish.

Content

French

The four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are treated equally, in line with the National Curriculum & Common Entrance. Skills are regularly practised and assessed through a range of assignments (classwork/homework/unit tests/exams) from Year 3 onwards. By Year 7, pupils learn to express themselves more fully and use their communication skills during a residential French language immersion visit to a chateau in Normandy.   In Years 7 and 8, pupils work towards developing the linguistic skills and knowledge essential for the French Common Entrance and scholarship examinations in Yr 8.

Click here to view a copy of the ISEB Common Entrance Syllabus for French for final examination in June 2022

Click here to view a copy of the ISEB Common Entrance Syllabus for French for final examination in June 2023

German

Children are taught by the Head of MFL and they follow the Common Entrance syllabus, using the ‘Stimmt’ online textbook.  Children are encouraged to speak in the target language as much as possible. Many interactive resources are used, including Quizlet, Linguascope and Languagesonline to supplement their learning.  Pupils develop all four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in order to work towards a final Common Entrance examination at the end of Year 8.

Click here to view a copy of the ISEB Common Entrance Syllabus for German for final examination in June 2022.

Click here to view a copy of the ISEB Common Entrance Syllabus for German for final examination in June 2023.

Mandarin

Children are taught by a native speaker and follow the Common Entrance syllabus using the ‘Secondary School Chinese’ textbook by Dragons, supplemented by many other resources including ‘Chinese Writer’, ‘Quizlet’ and ‘Linguascope’.  All four skills are developed, so that children can communicate by speaking and writing and have the ability to understand when listening and reading Mandarin Chinese.  Children take the Common Entrance examination at the end of Year 8.

Click here to view a copy of the ISEB Common Entrance Syllabus for Mandarin.

Spanish

Children are taught by our Director of Studies and they follow the Common Entrance syllabus using the ‘Viva’ online textbook, supplemented by many other resources, including ‘Quizlet’, ‘Linguascope’ and ‘Languagesonline’.  Pupils develop all four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing in order to work towards a final Common Entrance examination at the end of Year 8.  Children are encouraged to use the target language as much as possible in the classroom.

Click here to view a copy of the ISEB Common Entrance Syllabus for Spanish for final examination in June 2022.

Click here to view a copy of the ISEB Common Entrance Syllabus for Spanish for final examination in June 2023.

Language Clubs

We have Spanish, German and Mandarin clubs for children who wish to learn about these languages outside of the curriculum.

Technology

Advances in technology continue to have a significant impact on language teaching and learning. Using the School’s virtual learning environment, pupils access a wealth of software and subject-based websites, as well as using their ICT skills to produce projects, materials for display and presentations to illustrate their learning. Pupils benefit from technology within the classroom via interactive screens and whiteboards, which enable us to cater for a wide range of learning styles learning styles at the same time. Pupils in Years 6 to 8 are also able to use their individual iPads, accessing the multilingual keyboard and spell-checking facilities, as well as recording and listening to their work.

Trips and Events

Our annual Year 7 study and activity week takes place in the Summer Term, and is an integral part of our teaching programme. Pupils spend a week at the Château de la Baudonnière in Normandy, where they take part in a wide range of exciting activities, with the emphasis on language immersion.  Next academic year, we are also hoping to take part in a National Spelling Bee competition, as well as putting on a French café and hosting a Languages Performance evening.