Miss J Rees
STUDYING MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES AT THE SKEGNESS ACADEMY
Key Stage 3
Students at the Skegness Academy study French in years 7 and 8. The students follow a Fun Creative and Thematic Project Based language curriculum supported by the KS3 Allez & Expo Text books. At the end of year 9 students have the opportunity to choose Spanish as an alternative language option in preparation for GCSE studies.
French is taught by specialist teachers using a variety of cross-curricular approaches including Art, Music and ICT. Students have access to up to date computer suites where they can practise what they have learned in the classroom by playing interactive learning exercises and vocabularly games via Modern Foreign Language websites such as Linguascope.com or Duolinguo.
Key Stage 4
By year 10, students opt to study either French or Spanish at GCSE. Students follow a bespoke curriculum which meets the demands of the AQA examination, supported by OU Press textbooks and Pearson active learing revision resources.
In the Summer of 2017, MFL students will be examined for the last time on topics in the existing AQA specification over four papers:
Writing Paper: Controlled Assessment
Speaking Paper: Controlled Assessment
Reading Paper: Examination
Listening Paper: Examination
From the Summer of 2018, MFL students will sit examinations in Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening and Translation in accordance with the new linear AQA assessment specification.
Both French and Spanish GCSE students will cover a modern range of stimulating topics. Namely:
- Me, My Family and Friends
- Free-Time Activities
- Technology in Everyday Life
- Customs and Festivals
- Where You Live
- Social and Global Issues
- Travel and Tourism
- Current and Future Study and Employment
- As well as Examination Advice
Across all key stages, MFL students will study the social, moral, spiritual and cultural values, plus the geography of the target language speaking region, and make comparisons to British Values and customs, noting similarities and differences.
In addition, every year the MFL support EAL (English as an Additional Language) and Community Language students who come to us already fluent in another language. When competent, students may take GCSE's in languages such as Portuguese, Russain, Turkish, Polish, and any other language where a GCSE examination is possible.
Useful MFL Resources and Websites
To support modern foreigh language learning, students are recommended to constantly refer to a range of online resources including:
'Languages Work' is a national information resource about careers with languages: www.languageswork.org.uk
The National Centre for Languages (CILT) aims to promote a greater capability in languages in the UK: www.cilt.org.uk
The QCDA secondary curriculum pages outline the statutory content and the programme of study for MFL at Key Stage 3: www.gov.uk/schools-colleges/curriculum-qualifications
The BBC language webpages offer a wealth of interactive resources in all major modern languages that can be used to enrich the classroom experience: www.bbc.co.uk/languages
Why study languages? www.whystudylanguages.ac.uk
This website was designed to excite, educate and encourage young people to continue with their language learning in Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and post-16.
The site is written by university students who have recent experience of studying languages at GCSE and A-level. It also provides useful resources for parents, answering parents’ questions.
The cultural institutes for France and Spain promote the relevant languages as well as providing a multitude of resources for teachers:
- Institut Français – promotes the French language and culture, but also encourages cross-cultural exchange.
- The Consejería de Educación – seeks to promote and support the teaching of Spanish language and culture through several programmes and services for teachers in the UK.