Modern Foreign Languages

Introduction

In the increasingly global environment we live in, the ability to communicate with people in other parts of the world is an extremely valuable skill, especially in the world of work. The study of modern languages is vital to feeling part of Europe in the 21^st century.

The Department’s remit is to teach French, German and Spanish to classes from Year 7 to Upper Sixth. Its aims are to develop and maintain lasting student interest, achievement and curiosity in these subjects and to enable them to learn any other foreign language they may need or want in the future. The MFL team, with native speakers to cover all languages taught, is very successful and aims to provide enjoyment, broaden students’ education, foster independence in learning, and develop a better understanding of the wider world. The Department celebrates the European Day of Languages and supports our academically ambitious students with the Linguistics Olympiad and the Anthea Bell Translation Competition.

Years 7 – 9

All students in Years 7 to 9 study French together with a second modern language. The teaching is dynamic and lively. Staff use a variety of activities and approaches to best teach the four skills required in a language classroom: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The Department is well-equipped and uses a variety of innovative, technology-aided language-learning techniques to foster a lifelong love of learning languages. We are committed to providing varied and meaningful opportunities for students to apply and further develop their language skills in real contexts.

GCSE

All boys at Halliford study at least one language at GCSE level and may continue with two if they wish. Differentiated learning is accommodated by setting from Year 10 onwards. Extra support and monitoring are provided by members of the department and the language assistants. At GCSE, the Edexcel Examination Board specification is followed.

A Level

At a Level, the AQA course is followed, and the Department follows the Hodder material. In Sixth Form, students receive 7 periods of teaching per week.  The class sizes are usually small to ensure students receive the right level of individual attention. All students benefit from timetabled conversation practice with the language assistants.

Additional Qualifications

We are very happy to support students who speak a foreign language at home and may wish to pursue a GCSE or A Level qualification.

Tours and Trips

The MFL Department does not view the study of any language in a purely academic way but fosters immersion in the cultures behind these languages through exchange programmes. Exchange visits for all three languages are organised; an annual visit to Neumünster in Northern Germany and bi-annual exchange trips to Paris and San Fernando near Cádiz in the South of Spain. A Year 7 trip to Northern France is a regular feature in the school calendar, as well as a further exchange/ work experience for French students in Lower Sixth. There is also an exciting programme of day trips to museums, cinemas, lectures and theatres organised throughout the year.