Modern Foreign Languages
Subject Intent
For our students to leave the Academy as adaptable international collaborators, having acquired a foreign language, a deeper understanding of language structures, cultures and ways of thinking, whilst enriching their lives.
The need to learn a foreign language
“Language impacts the daily lives of members of any race, creed, and region of the world. Language helps express our feelings, desires, and queries to the world around us. Words, gestures and tone are utilized in union to portray a broad spectrum of emotion. The unique and diverse methods human beings can use to communicate through written and spoken language is a large part of what allows to harness our innate ability to form lasting bonds with one another; separating mankind from the rest of the animal kingdom”.
(Leonardo De Valoes, Adjunct Faculty of Trinity College)
Thanks to new technology and improved travel and communications, the world has become a much smaller place. Hence, the ability to communicate in multiple languages is becoming more and more important in our increasingly integrated global business community. The study of a foreign language brings immeasurable benefits to pupils’ cultural literacy and grammar as well as the opportunity to study the culture and habits of another country. It helps them to develop skills that will be extremely useful to them in the future, as it enables them to develop their confidence and ability to communicate with people from other countries. Stockwood Park Academy organises residential trips to France and/or Spain to reinforce the notions mentioned above.
Curriculum Objectives
- To extend their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar on a range of everyday topics and be able to use them accurately on a range registers
- To communicate effectively both in writing and in speaking using a variety of tenses, vocabulary and registers.
- To develop your listening and reading skills in the target language on a variety of topics and registers
- To express successfully their points of view on a variety of topics and to be able to justify them
- To describe images and pictures spontaneously in the target language.
- To translate accurately to and from the target language on everyday topics
- To successfully apply transferable skills across a range of topics and registers
- To develop an awareness of the culture of Spanish and French-speaking countries
- To become independent learners through the use of dictionary skills and research, problem-solving, memory developing techniques, etc.
- To access a range of authentic resources in the foreign language
Key Stage 3
YEAR 7, 8 & 9
At Stockwood Park Academy, students study either French or Spanish. Over two weeks, students have 3 hours of either French or Spanish in year 7 and 4 hours in years 8 and 9.
The teaching of languages at Stockwood Park Academy builds on the foundations of language learning laid at key stage 2 whether the students continue with the same language or take up a new one. The teaching focusses on developing the breadth and depth of pupils’ competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing, based on a sound foundation of core grammar and vocabulary.
In terms of textbooks, we use Claro1 & 2 for Spanish and Allez 1 & 2 for French. Those textbooks have been specifically chosen to build the skills and knowledge of our students to step up with confidence to the requirement of the new GCSE syllabus.
Finally, we try to encourage our students to immerse themselves in the French or Hispanic culture by organising yearly residential trips to France or Spain.
At the end of year 9, students are encouraged to continue with the language at GCSE
Key Stage 4
YEAR 10 & 11
Students start their GCSE course in the summer term of year 9. At GCSE level, students develop the ability and ambition to communicate with native speakers in speech and writing. The study of French or Spanish at GCSE is also aimed at broadening students’ horizons, encouraging them to step beyond familiar cultural boundaries and develop new ways of seeing the world. They develop transferable language learning skills which prepare them well for the world of work.
We use Oxford AQA Foundation or Higher French / Spanish textbooks. The topics covered are divided into 3 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 study either French or Spanish for 6 hours over two weeks.
We use a variety of teaching methods to engage our pupils in the successful study of their chosen language, including interactive whiteboards, ICT and language learning websites. The access to the foundation and higher textbooks allow teachers to differentiate in ability and encourage students to become independent learners.
Our exam board is AQA and students sit a 100% exam at the end of their GCSE course. All four skills weight respectively 25% and the final grades are 1-9.
