MFL (French & Spanish)
Head of Department: Mrs C Miles
Why study a foreign language?
Despite common misconceptions, 75% of the world’s population cannot speak any English at all. With Britain’s exit from the European Union, it is therefore more vital than ever for our youngsters to be multilingual if they want to have the competitive edge over their peers and make them truly global citizens. Many universities expect students to have at least a GCSE in a foreign language and these skills are also essential for many jobs in global businesses such as computing, marketing, and finance. It has been proven by neuroscientists that linguists have better brain plasticity and are better problem-solvers, team players and communicators. They are also are more creative than monolinguals!
Overview:
The GCSE course is a three year linear course which builds upon knowledge of topics and grammar studied in Key Stage 3. During the course, students will develop their skills in a variety of contexts, extending their ability to understand and respond to spoken and written French/Spanish. They will practise speaking and writing French/Spanish with increased accuracy as well as being able to give and justify their opinions on various issues.
Aims:
* To develop the ability to understand and use French/Spanish effectively for purposes of practical communication
* To develop the ability to use and understand French/Spanish both imaginatively and creatively
* To develop an understanding of the grammar of French/Spanish
* To offer insights into the culture and civilisation of French/Spanish-speaking countries and communities
* To form a sound base of the skills, language and attitude required for further study, work and leisure
Course Structure:
The course covers the following themes:
* Identity and Culture
* Local Area, holiday and travel
* School
* Future Aspirations, study and work
* International and global dimension
Students will be entered at either Foundation or Higher tier in the four skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. All skills will be assessed by external exams at the end of Y11, with each skill having an equal weighting of 25% towards the final grade.
Progression:
This qualification provides a foundation for the further study of French & Spanish at AS and A Level. Languages can be studied on their own or combined with many subjects such as Law, Business, Media, Literature, History of Art, Sciences, Humanities, IT and Engineering. Studying a language promotes the development of communicative, interpersonal and presentational skills as well as increasing job opportunities.
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