Key Stage 5 Modern Foreign Languages
Curriculum overview
Students follow either the Ab Initio (beginners), Standard or Higher level courses.
The approach to language learning at KS5 is very holistic. By the end of the course our students have grown into critical thinkers able to analyse the pros and cons of various issues in their own culture and that of the target language culture.
French, Spanish, German, Japanese:
| | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|
| Year 12
Ab Initio & Standard/Higher Level Japanese (each term, the script is also being taught) | Identities Migration Leisure Experiences Literature study (Higher) | Local area Tourism and Travelling Literature study (Higher) | Education Health issues Addictions Ethics and inventions Literature study (Higher) | Career options Sources of Energy Literature study (Higher) | Advantages of new technologies Environmental issues Literature study (Higher) | Limitations of various types of technology Health issues Preferences in different works of art Literature study (Higher) |
| Year 13
Ab initio & Standard/Higher Level | Bilingualism
Values Advantages and disadvantages of going on holidays | Traditions Migration | Poverty Third world countries Self-medication | | | |
Year 12:
Ab Initio students study various topics – appearance, physical geography, relationships, home, daily routine, food, shopping, entertainment, transport, town, emergencies, health, weather, holidays, education and jobs.
Standard and higher students study a range of topics – social relationships (relationships, social and religious events and educational systems), communication and media (TV, ads, press and the internet) and global issues (global warming; climate change; natural disasters, energy reserves, sustainability; migration; racism and poverty).
Students have the opportunity to participate in MFL trips at KS5 which will build their confidence in the use of target language, practise their language skills and experience the target language culture.
Year 13:
In Year 13, students research about various issues comparing their own culture to that of the target language country. They become specialists and are able to express complex ideas and justify their point of view with specific facts. Their language learning is taken to its linguistic ceiling.
Ab Initio students study different topics – Media (TV, ads, press, celebrities and the internet), Technology (phones, music, shopping, banking, social networking and work), the Environment (types of pollution, global warming, climate change, recycling and natural resources) and Global issues (AIDS, poverty, war and charities).
Standard and higher students study a spectrum of topics – Health (exercise, nutrition, eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, smoking, mental health, cosmetic surgery, rights to the health services and epidemics) and Science and technology (ethics & science / technology, impact of IT on society, renewable energy and scientific research).
Assessment
- Formative tests allow students to identify areas of strength and areas of improvements. The Formative tests are based on the content of particular sections from the termly knowledge banks.
- Summative tests allow for the testing of the four skills: productive (speaking and writing) and receptive skills (listening and reading).
- Students receive thorough feedback in lessons following the completion of a mid-term test.
- Starter activities in the second part of the term are planned to ensure that any area of improvement is addressed, such as common errors.
- Peer and self-assessment is part of our Assessment for Learning process. Students will be asked to assess their own or other pupils’ work using the relevant assessment criteria.
Further reading and resources
British Values:
British Values in Modern Foreign Languages
Democracy: by working together, promoting a safe learning environment, mutual respect. Discussions around the topic of human rights (IB diploma SL/HL)
Rule of law: we study International and European Law. Discussions around the topic of human rights (IB diploma SL/HL).
Individual Liberty: We encourage students to share their individual thoughts and consider their own desires/aspirations/ their place as global citizens.
Mutual respect: MFL students are encouraged to have mutual respect of each other’s work and views, through peer assessment and group analysis of work. This also links to the next statement, thinking about different beliefs and cultures, which is part of our IB & GCSE Diploma syllabus.
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs: Awareness of other cultural beliefs and styles can be incorporated into the teaching and learning at GCSE and as part of the IB diploma. Students learn about other cultures as part of their GCSE and as part of the content of the IB diploma, where students need to consider social, ethical and cultural issues as well as make comparisons between their own culture and that of other countries where French/ Spanish/ German/Japanese is spoken.
