Modern Foreign Languages

To have another language is to possess a second soul.

Charlemagne

Our aims are:

to ignite the love of learning languages in all learners;
to equip learners with the language skills required to communicate effectively;
to empower our language learners to develop the strategies and discipline needed for using and acquiring languages in the future.

Key Concepts

Linguistic knowledge – learners will progressively deepen their knowledge of vocabulary and grammatical structures, including a range of tenses, allowing them to extract key messages from spoken and written language;
Effective communication – learners have opportunities to apply this knowledge through effective and creative language production in speaking and writing, including translation into the foreign language and including demonstration of knowledge of sound-symbol correspondence in spoken and written language
Identity and culture – learners are able to express and justify opinions and evaluate a range of viewpoints; they also use authentic materials and expand their knowledge and understanding of different cultures.

Key Skills

ability to listen to and understand the spoken language;
ability to speak the language for a range of purposes and contexts;
ability to read and understand the written language;
ability to write coherently and accurately in the language for a range of purposes and contexts

What is taught?

Year 7

All students begin the year studying any TWO modern foreign languages out of French, German and Spanish.

In Term 1, students will also have weekly taster sessions in Mandarin. This will help them to decide if they wish to opt in to the Mandarin Excellence Programme, and intensive programme of study which would replace the two European languages from Term 2 onwards.

Students who do not opt into the Mandarin Excellence Programme continue their study of their two allocated European languages.

Year 8

Students continue their language programme from Year 7 (i.e. their two allocated languages out of French, German and Spanish, or Mandarin only through the Mandarin Excellence Programme).

Year 9

Students continue their language programme from Year 7 and 8 (i.e. their two allocated languages out of French, German and Spanish, or Mandarin only through the Mandarin Excellence Programme).

When making subject choices for Year 10, we recommend that students choose to do one or both languages in line with E-Bacc recommendations.

For students of Mandarin, an Express course is offered in Year 9 to prepare students for the study of either French, German or Spanish at GCSE alongside Mandarin. This course is optional.

Year 10

Students begin the 2-year GCSE course in their language(s) or choice. French, German and Spanish use the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) specification. Mandarin uses the AQA GCSE (9-1) specification.

Year 11

Students complete their GCSE course in their language(s) of choice.

Please refer to the individual language pages on the left for further information about course content for each year of study.

We encourage our learners at this stage, if able and motivated, to continue their study of a language or languages at A Level. Modern Foreign Languages belong to the list of “facilitating subjects” which are the courses identified by the Russel Group of universities as the most desirable for a range of competitive courses and apprenticeships.

Year 12

Students begin the 2-year linear A Level course in their language(s) or choice. French, German and Mandarin use the Edexcel A Level specification. Spanish uses the Eduqas A Level specification.

Year 13

Students complete their A Level course in their language(s) of choice.

Please refer to the individual language pages on the left for further information about course content for each year of study.

Students of A Level languages here at Mayfield go on to a wide range of impressive destinations, including Medicine, International Business Management, Law and European Law, Education, Accountancy, Modern Foreign Languages, Translation and Interpreting, and more recently, degree-level apprenticeships in financial services and technology.

Enrichment Opportunities

Students benefit from a wealth of enrichment opportunities which allow learners to develop their disciplinary knowledge, academic literacy and cultural capital. Mayfield students are encouraged to extend their interest in modern foreign languages by taking part in the following activities and events:

Domestic trips to cultural institutions (e.g. Institut Français, Goethe Institut, BFI, British Museum);
International Trips and School Exchanges;
Work Experience both home and abroad;
Pen pal projects or virtual exchanges;
Speaking Lessons with Modern Language Assistant;
Lunchtime clubs for support, cultural enrichment and games;
Cinéclub for Years 11-13
Interschool Spelling Bee
Anthea Bell Translation Prize
This is Language Charity Competition (Nutty Tilez)
Subscription to This is Language for Years 10-13
Use of the Language Laboratory in school for computer-assisted language learning.

Careers Guidance and Support for Modern Foreign Languages:

www.languagematters.co.uk

www.ciol.org.uk

www.omniglot.com/language/careers.htm

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/modern-languages

MGSG Careers