See our Languages available below at Bentley Wood for KS3, KS4 and KS5
Course Aims:
The aim of the MFL curriculum is to develop understanding of the target language in a variety of contexts, including literature of the target language and knowledge of the vocabulary, grammar and phonics of the language. As part of the language learning skills, it includes translation (English into target language and target language into English), the ability to communicate effectively in the target language and an awareness and understanding of countries and communities where the target language is spoken. The MFL curriculum contributes to the rich, ambitious and inclusive school curriculum. All students learn a foreign language from Year 8 to GCSE and two languages at year 7.
KS3 Course Content:
YEAR 7
FRENCH SCHEME OF LEARNING
SPANISH SCHEME OF LEARNING
YEAR 8
Trips and visits: There are opportunities to take part in residential and cultural trips to France or Spain and Germany and Italy (linked to other subject cross-curricular projects) during Years 8 to 10 while studying a language for GCSE.
Enrichment: Students can take part in Inter-form competitions linked to Languages Week and the European Day of Languages. They can attend the MFL Clubs and use the resources provided in the MFL Teams and Enrichment Team to complete homework, extend their learning or receive extra support. Students can attend a target language theatre play in the Hall at different times during the year or during MFL Film Club. They can also meet and make contact with our link schools when they visit Bentley Wood.
Key Stage 4 & 5: GCSE and Sixth Form language students have many opportunities to enrich their language learning with extra-curricular and work experience like activities, including summer school courses via our partnerships with Routes into Languages and Cambridge University.
Career Progression: Occupations with contacts in target language-speaking countries (business, law firms, estate agents, publishers, news and media agencies), bilingual secretarial work, translator, interpreter, teacher, private tuition, tourism and travel (travel agency, courier, tour-operator, airport/airline staff) fashion, catering and the restaurant trade, film industry.
Recommended Reading: To support their learning of Languages all students have vocabulary workbooks to follow the course they study (Studio for French and Viva for Spanish). Languages websites and mobile apps such as ActiveLearn, Linguascope, Quizzlet, Wordreference, Languagesonline, BBC languages, Memrise, Kahoot, GCSEPod and Duolingo are also used to practise vocabulary and grammar.
Exam board: AQA
Aim of course
The aim of the MFL curriculum is to develop understanding of the target language in a variety of contexts, including literature of the target languages. As part of the language learning skills, it includes translation (English into target language and target language into English), the ability to communicate effectively in the target language and an awareness and understanding of countries and communities where the target language is spoken. The MFL curriculum contributes to the rich, ambitious and inclusive school curriculum. All students learn a modern foreign language.
Course Content
Theme 1: People and lifestyle
Theme 2: Popular culture
Theme 3: Communication and the world around us
Assessment
Students are assessed in four equally weighted skills following the exam board specifications and the national curriculum. Regardless of academic ability, students take a listening, reading, speaking and writing GCSE exam at the end of the linear course (Year 11). Speaking exams are conducted by the teacher but all exams are externally assessed. Exams in all four skills are tiered, students must sit exams in all four skills at the same tier. Some students, supported by the school, also take a GCSE or A Level exam in a community language which they study outside the school curriculum.
Enrichment activities
There are opportunities to take part in residential and cultural trips to Europe while studying the language for GCSE.
Career Progression
Occupations with contacts in target language-speaking countries (business, law firms, estate agents, publishers, news and media agencies), bilingual secretarial work. Translator, interpreter, teacher, private tuition, tourism and travel (travel agency, courier, tour operator, airport/airline staff) fashion, catering and the restaurant trade, film industry. At Bentley Wood we are passionate about the benefits that learning a language can bring. We strongly believe in languages as a skill for life.
Key Stage 4 & 5
GCSE and Sixth Form language students have many opportunities to enrich their language learning with extra-curricular and work experience like activities, including summer school courses via our partnerships with Routes into Languages and Cambridge University.
Recommended Reading
To support their learning of Languages all students have vocabulary workbooks to follow the course the study (Studio for French and Viva for Spanish). Languages websites and mobile apps such as ActiveLearn, Linguascope, Quizzlet, Wordreference, Languagesonline, BBC languages, Memrise Kahoot, GCSEPod and Duolingo are also used to practice vocabulary, grammar and phonics.
Revision Guides
Is Spanish the subject for you?
¡Sí, claro!…….if you enjoy learning languages, traveling and meeting people from different places, and learning about a different way of life. You will be learning advanced vocabulary and grammar to give you freedom to express yourself when speaking and writing in Spanish. By the end of the two-year course you will be able to communicate fluently in Spanish. Many of the themes discussed related to other A Level subjects in the context of Spanish Speaking countries, their culture, history and society.
Course content
This course has been designed to give you a profound understanding of Spanish language and culture. Not only will you know more about the mechanics of the language – like grammar and vocabulary – but also about how the people live and use language on a day to day basis. See below and appendix of the themes covered in AS and A Level.
Methods of study
We will combine the use of a text book and Kerboodle, AQA Spanish for A Level, with many other resources such as newspaper articles, website articles, videos, Spanish songs, films, books, etc. To develop your linguistic skills lessons will be conducted in Spanish and you are expected to contribute and participate by speaking in Spanish to your peers and teachers. Students are expected to do independent study linked to your themes of study, study of the film ‘El Laberinto del Fauno’ and the book/play ‘La casa de Bernarda Alba’. You will also have opportunities to enrich your studies further by participating in or leading extra-curricular MFL activities, and taking part in trips and outings relevant to Spanish language, culture and society and supporting the MFL department with WEX activities including promoting languages and supporting lower school students with oral work.
How will it be examined?
See attached appendix with detailed information on AQA exams for AS and A Level
Career opportunities
Apart from being beneficial at a personal level, your A level in Spanish can help with quite a few career paths. For those who want to specialise in language, there’s teaching, translation and interpreting. Or maybe you want to work in the travel and tourism industry. But even as, say, an engineer or designer, being proficient in a language will give you broader career options. Students find that languages are a natural fit for many subjects, enabling them to use their skills and qualifications to apply to university and access career opportunities at home and abroad. Travel – so the saying goes – broadens your mind; and never more so than when you can speak the language. That way you’ll be able to find out what the local people are thinking, how they live… and how their culture really works.
