About the Faculty
The Modern Foreign Languages Faculty deliver a variety of courses at all Key Stages, with French, German and Spanish being taught to each Key Stage. The faculty has dedicated teaching staff, modern teaching spaces and are committed to delivering excellent learning for all students.
MFL Faculty Assessment And Marking
MFL Faculty Assessment Plan
To find out what is delivered at each Key Stage, please click the title below:
Years 7 to 9 – Key Stage 3
The Key Stage 3 Modern Foreign Languages course is a challenging and engaging course designed to develop the key skills that students use when speaking and understanding a modern foreign language. Students develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills whilst building on their MFL vocabulary. Over three years the students will cover 18 modules based on a variety of interesting and stimulating topics. Students will follow French, German or Spanish as their MFL in KS3. They are taught in tutor groups in Y7 and Y8 and are set in Y9.
Topics covered in Year 7 are: Introductions, Family, Home and School. The topics covered in Year 8 are: Routine, Leisure, Home Life and Free Time. The topics covered in Year 9 are: Socialising & Invitations, Food, Holidays and Friends. Students cover the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and course books are supplemented by differentiated support material. The course aims to encourage students to participate actively in the foreign language whilst gaining a greater cultural awareness and understanding of the world in which we live.
Assessment
At KS3 we regularly assess students’ progress:
* Throughout each topic, students complete listening, reading, speaking and written assessment tasks.
* At the end of each half term students complete class tests. These are summative tests and cover all of the units the students have studied so far in that module.
* Student understanding and progress will be monitored through questioning, marking, discussion and observation. Verbal or written feedback will be given to ensure they make good progress.
Enrichment
Y7 European Day of Languages in September. MFL Spelling Bee competition which takes place in school and at regional level.
Y7-9 Vocab Express global competition.
Top Tips
Look, cover, copy, write & check for vocabulary tests;
Create flashcards of key words and sentences to stick up;
Do homework with a partner;
Switch the language on your own DVDs to French/German/Spanish; Watch some French/German/Spanish clips on YouTube.
Parents can help by:
Supporting your child with their homework, including testing on the vocabulary they need to learn for a test. Homework is set at least once a week and should last around 30 to 40 minutes in total, sometimes longer for extended writing.
Encourage your son/daughter to seek help with anything that they have found difficult.
Important Websites
www.languagesonline.org.uk
www.atantot-extra.co.uk
www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk
www.linguascope.com (ask your MFL teacher for the password)
www.vocabexpress.com (ask your MFL teacher for the password)
Year 10 to 11 – Key Stage 4
Optional Subject: GCSE French, German or Spanish
The course studied in Years 10 and 11 will build on the language skills gained in Key Stage 3. Students will continue to learn to use the language of real life situations and will have a working knowledge of how native speakers communicate in a variety of everyday situations. The language learning is set in 3 contexts:
- Identity and Culture
- Local, national, international and global areas of interest
- Current and future study and employment
Students will learn to understand both the spoken and written language and to communicate orally and in written form. Students will also learn about the country, other countries where the language is spoken and their way of life, customs and culture.
Assessment
All examinations will take place at the end of Year 11
Listening 25% 35 minutes (Foundation Tier) / 45 minutes (Higher Tier)
Speaking 25% 7-9 minutes (Foundation Tier) / 10-12 minutes (Higher Tier)
Reading 25% 45 minutes (Foundation Tier) / 1 hour (Higher Tier)
Writing 25% 1 hour (Foundation Tier) / 1 hour 15 minutes (Higher Tier)
It is recommended that each student possesses his/her own dictionary for the course. We recommend the following;
Collins French Dictionary: ISBN 978000 7485475
Collins German Dictionary: ISBN 978000 7485499
Collins Spanish Dictionary: ISBN 978000 7485482
Language learning is, by its nature, a continuous process in which students are reinforcing and building on what they know. They will be expected to revise and learn vocabulary and structures on a regular basis and to meet deadlines.
Further Education and/or Career Opportunities
The foundation gained in language learning skills and the GCSE grade obtained will equip students to continue the study of a Modern Foreign Language at AS/A2 Level. The number and variety of university degree courses offering a vocational qualification combined with a language and the opportunity to study and work as an undergraduate are increasing each year as we become aware of the need to equip British students for life and work in the wider world. As the United Kingdom moves into close political and economic relationships with other countries, the GCSE student of today will be the work force of tomorrow and will be expected at all levels to be prepared to live and work beyond our country’s boundaries. The languages, the language learning skills and especially the communication skills which we offer will be of increasing importance throughout our students’ lives.
Examination Board: AQA
Course Code (French): 4655
Course Code (German): 4665
Course Code (Spanish): 8695
Year 12 to 13 – Key Stage 5
In a world of increasing Globalisation, multinational companies and easy travel, a language at A level is a great advantage. It can be studied for its own interest or to complement any other subject, and is in demand by employers.
French
AS 7651
A level 7652
Course specification link http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/ as-and-a-level/french-7652
German
AS 7661
A level 7662
Course specification link http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/ as-and-a-level/german-7662
Spanish
AS 7691
A level 7692
Course specification link http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/ as-and-a-level/spanish-7692
AS Languages
AS Languages will widen and deepen your knowledge and understanding of the topics developed at GCSE.
Students study social and technological change alongside highlights of French/ German/Spanish-speaking artistic culture, including music and cinema. Students also explore the influence of the past on present-day French/German/Spanishspeaking communities. Throughout their studies, they will learn the language in the context of French/German Spanishspeaking countries and the issues and influences which have shaped them.
Students will also study a text or a film.
A2 Languages
Students study technological and social change, looking at diversity and the benefits it brings. They will study highlights of French/German/Spanish-speaking artistic culture, including music and cinema, and learn about political engagement and who wields political power in the French/ German/Spanish-speaking world. Students also explore the influence of the past on present-day French/German/Spanishspeaking communities. Students will study texts and film and have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice.
AS Units
Paper 1
Listening, Reading and Writing 45%
Paper 2
Writing 25%
Paper 3
Speaking Test 30%
A2 Units
Paper 1
Listening, Reading and Writing 50%
Paper 2
Writing 20%
Paper 3 
Speaking Test 30%
Are you interested in:
- Living and working abroad
- Communicating with new people
- Impressing a new employer
- Earning a good salary
- Living abroad and being paid for it
Leading to a career in:
- Anything! A language complements all jobs and interests
- Careers with an international flavour
- Employment which requires communication, research and analytical skills
“Speaking another language makes you stand out from the crowd”
– Eddie Izzard
“Language learning can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences that life can offer”
– Trevor McDonald
“Another language helps you to realise that there is a world around you”
– Paula Radcliffe
‘Speaking another language makes you stand out from the crowd’
– Eddie Izzard
‘Language learning can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences that life can offer’
– Trevor McDonald
‘Another language helps you to realise that there is a world around you’
– Paula Radcliffe