Languages
Staff
Mrs R Minhas- Head of MFL
Alison Harvey – Teacher of MFL / Assistant Headteacher
Mr S Bhutto- Teacher of French
Mrs C Piepdie-Possi- Teacher of French
Miss N Okon- Teacher of French
Miss L Bénéat- French Assistant
Aims
Learning a new language teaches pupils how people live in other cultures and countries and gives insights into our own multi-cultural society. As new technology brings people closer together across the globe, studying languages becomes ever more important in preparing pupils for living and working in the 21st century.
Through our syllabuses and schemes of work we provide material and a learning environment, which prepares all pupils for a future world and adult life in a multi-racial, interdependent world.
We aim to:
- Develop the ability to understand and use the chosen foreign language effectively for the purposes of practical communication.
- Develop the ability to use the chosen language both imaginatively and creatively and to understand the language used both imaginatively and creatively.
- Develop an understanding of the grammar of the chosen language.
- Offer insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries and communities that speak the chosen language.
- Encourage positive attitudes to foreign language learning and to speakers of foreign languages and a positive approach to other cultures and civilisations.
- Develop students’ understanding of themselves and their own culture.
- Provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation.
- Form a sound base of skills, language and attitude required for further study, work and leisure.
- Promote skills, which have a wider application such as information technology, and learning skills (e.g. analysis, memorising, drawing inference).
Course Calendars
Key Stage 3
Years 7 – 9 – All students learn French, with 7 lessons per fortnight. Their lessons cover a variety of topics which are related to the Themes covered in the GCSE syllabus. They revisit similar topics each year to increase their depth of knowledge and the complexity required, so that they are prepared for the GCSE content.
Key Stage 4
All pupils study French at GCSE in order to be eligible for the EBACC qualification. All pupils have 6 lessons per fortnight (3 doubles) and follow the AQA course. Last year 97% of the cohort were Grades 9-4 and 55% of the cohort were Grades 9-7.
Key Stage 5
The study of French at A-level is a popular choice for those students wishing to learn the language for its own sake or to complement other A-level subjects. Students work in small groups and follow the AQA syllabus with support from our French Assistant to develop speaking skills. We teach this in collaboration with KEVI Handsworth Grammar School for Girls and KEVI Aston School. Last year our pass rate was 100% Grades A-C.
Extra-Curricular
The Modern Languages Department supports and enriches learning through a variety of clubs, trips and events. Every year we take part in the National Languages Competition, which is organised by GCHQ. We also offer a Year 10 trip to Morocco and a Year 8 trip to Paris.