Modern Languages

Ethos & Values

• To enhance the students' experience of language learning, through the effective delivery of the curriculum, using outstanding resources.
• To encourage independent language learning with an international focus.
• To have consistently high expectations and match these with high quality resources and learning strategies.
• To provide a range of educational experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of our students.
• To adopt a philosophy of continuous improvement in all aspects of MFL.

Knowledge & Skills

Students develop their four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a variety of contexts to prepare them for language use in the global community. We cater for a range of different learning styles: visual, aural and kinaesthetic. There is scope for students' personal growth as learners, through active participation in class lessons and homework, which provides students with the ability to communicate effectively and with confidence, both orally and in writing, in a variety of styles and situations in the target language.

Students are encouraged to express personal opinions and communicate effectively in a range of "real life" situations; for example, business transactions, ordering food in a restaurant and asking for information about a town.

Our Language Laboratory provides students with the opportunity to enhance their computer skills and it also grants a further opportunity for oral and aural practise through the use of headphones and microphones.

Resources & Facilities

Both sites have newly renovated classrooms for MFL. Students also have lessons in the newly refurbished ICT suite, which is used regularly to enhance learning.

Mrs Davey is Curriculum Leader for MFL at Louth Academy, where the languages studied are French and Spanish at Key Stage 3, and French, and Spanish at Key Stage 4. On both lower and upper site there are languages clubs at lunchtime and after school.

Students have a login to Languagenut and are encouraged to use it regularly at home and sometimes in lesson time in school to enhance their language learning. The website is www.languagenut.com and they have individual usernames and passwords.

Courses & Qualifications

Key Stage 3:

Students follow the National Curriculum in Modern Foreign Languages.

Key Stage 4:

Currently new specification GCSE in French (AQA), GCSE in Spanish (AQA).

www.aqa.org.uk

The specification codes are:

• French – 8658
• Spanish – 8698

The exam board used is AQA.

The assessment is weighted:

• Written exam - 25%
• Speaking exam - 25%
• Reading exam - 25%
• Listening exam - 25%

Students are entered for all examinations at either Foundation Tier (Grades 1-5) or Higher Tier (Grades 4-9).

Topics

The MFL curriculum focuses on key reoccurring themes / knowledge and skills.

Topics – Free time, Education + post-16 opportunities, social and global issues, healthy lifestyles, me, my family, friends and relationships, festivals and celebrations, Technology and the world around me, holidays, where I live

Themes – Building relationships, Respect for cultural diversity, social wellbeing, preparing for the world of work, environment and sustainability, communication and the media

Skills – Literacy, Numeracy, collaborative learning, independent learning, Articulating opinions+ arguments,

Broader Curriculum Themes are referred to throughout the curriculum where appropriate.

TOPICS - 7-9

Y7 - TOPICS

French – Me, My family and friends, education, sports and hobbies
Spanish – Me, My family and friends, where I live, food and drink, sports

Y8 - TOPICS

French – Me, My Family and Friends, Education, Sports and Hobbies
Spanish – Where I live, food and drink, sports and hobbies, past holidays, my town, health
German – Me, My Family and Friends, Hobbies and Activities, Likes and Dislikes, Music, Clothes

Y9 - TOPICS

French – My Studies, School life and Environment, Town, Leisure, Media, Cultural Diversity
Spanish – My town, social and global issues, media and technology, my studies, my education, human impact
German – Me, My Family and Friends, Hobbies and Activities, Likes and Dislikes, Music, Clothes

TOPICS – KEY STAGE 4 – AQA GCSE COURSE

The MFL curriculum focuses on key reoccurring themes / knowledge and skills.

GCSE Topics–
Theme 1: Identity and culture
Topic 1: Me, my family and friends
Relationships with family and friends
Marriage/partnership
Topic 2: Technology in everyday life
Social media
Mobile technology
Topic 3: Free-time activities
Music
Cinema and TV
Food and eating out
Sport
Topic 4: Customs and festivals in Spanish-speaking countries/communities

Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest
Topic 1: Home, town, neighbourhood and region
Topic 2: Social issues
Charity/voluntary work
Healthy/unhealthy living
Topic 3: Global issues
The environment
Poverty/homelessness
Topic 4: Travel and tourism

Theme 3: Current and future study and employment
Topic 1: My studies
Topic 2: Life at school/college
Topic 3: Education post-16
Topic 4: Jobs, career choices and ambitions

YEAR 10 TOPICS

FRENCH – My studies, life at school / college, education post-16, careers, jobs, future ambitions, travel and tourism, healthy and unhealthy living, charity/voluntary work, food and eating out, sport, customs and festivals in French-speaking countries, home, town, neighbourhood and region, the environment, poverty/homelessness

SPANISH – Free time activities, travel and tourism, healthy and unhealthy living, education post-16, jobs, careers, future ambitions, customs and festivals in Spanish-speaking countries, home, town, neighbourhood and region

YEAR 11 TOPICS

French – Relationships, Marriage, Social media, Technology, Customs and Festivals, Home Town and Environment + revision of all topics in all themes

Spanish – Social and Global issues, Technology and Media, Family and Relationships, Marriage and Partnerships + revision of all topics in all themes

Learning Outside The Classroom

Language Club

There are several Language clubs at Louth Academy to offer Enrichment opportunities in MFL, including the opportunity to access Languagenut software to improve their skills and knowledge. The Language Club at Lower Site gives students the opportunity to develop their interests in particular topics and it also allows them some more independent learning time. The language club has a strong ICT emphasis and is on offer for all year 7 and 8 students. The focus is very much on what interests the students, so we welcome their input. It is a good way to meet new people and learn some extra French, German or Spanish, or a new language, whilst having fun! It also provides support with homework or other tasks.

At Upper Site there are several times available to students both at lunchtime and after school in the Languages Department. These are open to all Key Stage 4 students. The focus here is on improving skills or doing extra tasks or revision for their GCSE courses, or providing support with homework. There is also a German club on upper site and a film club, where students have access to a variety of suitable films in the original language of French, German or Spanish. Students also have been undertaking learning a new language as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Where Does This Take Me In The Future?

• Learning a language provides opportunities for students who may wish to be employed in the world of Business.
• Learning a language provides transferable skills, knowledge and understanding for the ever-changing world.
• Languages motivate students via applied learning and continuous assessment.
• GCSE Language qualifications provide a springboard to further and higher programmes of study.

Just under 50% of companies lose business because of language barriers. At Louth Academy, we aim to provide our students with opportunities to make themselves stand out to future employers. Linguistic competence is a much sought after skill.

Learning a language shows that you are a brave individual who is not afraid of a challenge. You have a well-trained memory in order to learn and recall all the extra words in a foreign language. You are able to converse in another language and therefore likely to be adept at communicating in your mother tongue too. You are open minded and like to try new things. You can perform well, even when under pressure, as you can successfully converse in a foreign language without prior preparation.

Learning a language allows you to better appreciate and understand cultural and historical connections. You are confident and can talk to lots of different people in the world. You persevere when things become difficult, because learning a language is not easy but it is worth it.