Modern Foreign Languages

Staffing In Modern Foreign Languages
Modern Foreign Languages are taught by four teachers; these include Mr Jamin (Teacher in Charge), Ms Makan, Mr Sarumi and Ms Plumb.

Aims Of The Department
Our vision in the Modern Foreign Languages department is that all language learners develop the skills and confidence to consider themselves as ‘World Citizens’.

We aim to support students to understand other countries and culture so that they can be more open and adaptable to new experiences.

With this in mind, we have a number of objectives.  Primary among these is our mission to increase the percentage of pupils who achieve grades A* - C in Key Stage 4.  This means that we, as the languages teaching staff, focus on developing the quality of our teaching.  This year we are taking part in a series of in-service training, as well as working together within the department to develop our use of data to inform our teaching strategies.  Pupils also need to build their skills - in particular, their oral confidence.

Pupils make good progress in Modern Foreign Languages at Key Stage 3.  This year we are focussing on maintaining this rate of progress into Key Stage 4, so that we cater more effectively for pupils with a full range of needs.

Pupils develop linguistic skills at different rates, so the department strives to offer a range of opportunities for language learners, especially in the upper school (KS4).  We currently offer the Foundation Certificate of Secondary Education in Year 9 and General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in Year 11.

Newham is a culturally rich and diverse area where many languages are used on a daily basis, therefore many students come to us with excellent language skills, speaking two or sometimes three languages.  Wherever possible, we enable speakers of community languages to improve their knowledge of their heritage language and gain appropriate accreditation.
We utilise pupils in extra-curricular events, such as Open Evenings and they play an important role in representing the department and the school to the wider community.
As a department, we have recently launched the MFL leaders programme aiming to develop pupils’ leadership skills as well as linguistic abilities.

Nowadays the acquisition of a foreign language is very highly regarded by colleges and employers and so we encourage our students to study a language as an option for their Key Stage 4 studies.  With a decreasing number of people able to speak a second language on leaving education - this is a skill that is increasingly sought after by employers.
Employers and universities acknowledge that those pupils who have learnt a second language have a better understanding of other countries and cultures and particularly if they have been abroad, are more open and adaptable to new experiences.
We develop an international outlook in our pupils, and encourage them to see themselves as global citizens.


The Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum
The Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum in Year 7
In Year 7 pupils study French or Spanish for 2 hours a week and undertake 5 units of work. 
French (Expo)
Spanish (Mira)

• C’est parti !
• Famille et copains
• Chez moi
• On va en ville
• Ma journée
• ¡Hola!
• En el instituto
• Mi familia
• En casa
• El tiempo libre

The Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum in Year 8
In Year 8 pupils study French or Spanish for 2 hours a week and undertake 5 units of work. 
Pupils start their AQA FCSE (Foundation Certificate of Secondary Education) Portfolio.

• French (Expo)
• Spanish (Mira)
• On s’amuse
• Famille et domicile
• Temps libre
• Les sorties
• Manger et boire
• En la ciudad
• La gente
• Vamos a salir
•  Mis vacaciones
• ¿Qué desayunas?

The Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum in Year 9
In Year 9 pupils study French or Spanish for 2 hours a week and undertake 6 units of work. 
Pupils complete their AQA FCSE Portfolio for submission at the end of May.
French (Expo)
Spanish (Mira)

• Voyages et vacances
• Ça t’intéresse ?
• L’avenir
• En bonne santé
• Il était une fois…
• On y va
• Barcelona
• Los medios de communicación
• El instituto
• La salud
• Ganarse la vida
• Hispano américa

The Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum in Year 10
In Year 10 pupils study French or Spanish for 2 (or 3 if 2 in Year 11) hours a week and undertake 5 units of work.  Pupils follow AQA French Full Course (4658) or AQA Spanish Full Course (4698)
French (Expo)
Spanish (Mira)

• Moi
• Mon temps libre
• Là oú j’habite
• Allons-y
• Le collège
• De vacaciones
• De paseo por Sevilla
• A clase
• Perdidos!
• Los trabajos

The Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum in Year 11
In Year 11 pupils study French or Spanish for 2 (or 3 if 2 in Year 10) hours a week and undertake 4 units of work.  Pupils follow AQA French Full Course (4658) or AQA Spanish Full Course (4698)
French (Expo)
Spanish (Mira)

• Il faut bosser
• Tourisme
• Mode de vie

• Le monde en danger
• Mi tiempo libre
• Viva mi barrio!
• La salud
• Nuestro planeta

Assessment For Learning
The marking of students’ work is a vital part of teaching and learning is also seen as such by the students themselves.
The key aims of marking include acknowledgement of students’ work, demonstration to parents and student that performance and progress is being considered and monitored, celebration of students’ achievements and identification of ways in which students can improve.
Work may be marked:

• By the teacher out of class,
• By the teacher in the class while circulating
• The student in class with the support of the teacher/answer sheets
• The student’s partner in class (as above)

Attainment In Our Department

Results at end of Key Stage 3 (Level 5+)

	2008	2009	2010
French Level 5+	-	69.5%	81.5%
Spanish Level 5+	-	67.3%	70.5%
Overall Level 5+	66%	67.9%	74.4%

Results at end of Key Stage 4 (A*-C)

	2008	2009	2010
GCSE French	46%	27%	26%
GCSE Spanish	N/A	53%	37.5%

 

 The department has been awarded the Links Mark to recognise the school's contribution to the LinkedUp Award Scheme.