Learning a Modern Foreign Language is exciting as students not only learn the language itself but also about the culture of the countries where the language is spoken.
In Key Stage 3, students learn the basics of grammar and vocabulary through different topics. The focus is on oral communication but students also develop their listening, reading and writing skills.
I like the sound of French – it is an elegant language. The lessons are fun and we all have the chance to be actively involved. I particularly like the interactive Whiteboard Games.
Year 7 student
Spanish at RGS really seems to come alive in lessons! The atmosphere is really fun and our teachers really pull us into the language. In every lesson, everyone is involved in a new and enjoyable activity.
Year 8 student
In Key Stage 4, students broaden their vocabulary and learn to understand and use more complex language. Lessons are engaging and fun, particularly when the Interactive Whiteboard is used.
I like German as it opens up a wide range of careers for my future. German is an interesting language and it is not too hard to learn. When I went to Germany with the school, I was pleased to be able to speak the language.
Year 10 student
Greater emphasis is placed on independent learning in the Sixth Form. French, German and Spanish are offered at IB Level and we have recently added Japanese to our programme. Languages are ideal subjects to combine with Humanities, Business Studies and Economics, as well as offering breadth to scientists. Students develop their fluency to a high standard whilst learning about the culture or literature of the country.
MFL trips bring languages to life at KS4 and KS5.
Course Offerings
| Course Title | Qualifications Obtainable | Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|
| Key Stage 4 Courses | ||
| GCSE | AQA | |
| Key Stage 5 Courses | ||
| IB | IBO | |
| Year 7 | |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Content: | Throughout engaging activities, students are encouraged to speak spontaneously. As part of the curriculum all MFL students will learn how to give basic introductions and how to describe their family and pets. Students will also learn how to order food and drink in a café and restaurant. Finally they will be able to describe where they live and what their home looks like. |
| Year 8 | |
| Curriculum Content: | In Year 8, students really start interacting and the curriculum in MFL provide them with a wide range of contexts in which students are able to practice every day conversation. Therefore language learning in Year 8 becomes really purposeful. Through pair work and group work, students complete vocabulary building exercises based on every day conversations for example going on shopping trip and asking for a particular item, sating their preference and asking for the price. As part of the curriculum, students will face the challenges of being out and about in town for example they would have to ask for directions in the Spanish capital city! Arranging to go out and making social plans is also part of the topics for every day conversation. |
| Year 9 | |
| Curriculum Content: | In Year 9 students learn to think on their feet in MFL! Questioning in the target language and learning about the country are at the heart of language learning. This is a crucial year to develop those skills that all linguists need, one of them being able to take responsible risks. Students really get to grips with the language.
As part of the curriculum students will be able to discuss holiday activities and booking accommodation. They will also be able to reflect on their future plans and explore the pros and cons of certain career paths and career choices. All lessons will have a strong cultural input to compare their own culture to that of the target language country therefore enabling students to gain not only the language skills but also cultural awareness that are so crucial to a language learner. Students have the opportunity to take part to MFL trips at KS4. These trips provide them with excellent opportunities to immerse themselves in the target language culture, practise their language skills and grow in confidence |
| More Information: | AQA Website |
| Year 10 | |
| Curriculum Content: | As part of the curriculum in MFL, students study the topics of family, school, holidays, town and work experience.
In Year 10 students are expected to put into practice all those skills that they have built up throughout KS3 and Year 9. Students’ language skills are stretched to enable them to adapt their language use to different contexts. Therefore, knowledge of tenses and key vocabulary is very important. Students have the chance to take part to MFL trips at KS4. These trips provide them with excellent opportunities to immerse themselves in the target language culture, practise their language skills and grow in confidence. |
| More Information: | AQA Website |
| Year 11 | |
| Curriculum Content: | In Year 11 students are engaged into group discussions which allow them to become critical thinkers and compare issues in their own culture to that of the target language country.
As part of the curriculum in MFL students study the topics of media (the use of mobiles and the internet), healthy living (including the issues of healthy eating and eating disorders, drugs, alcohol and smoking and peer pressure) and pollution, global warming and possible solutions to these problems. There is an emphasis on all four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) skills during the course of Year 11, in preparation for the four examinations towards the end of Year 11. Students are expected to go beyond language learning taking place in the classroom as MFL teachers upload additional listening resources on Edmodo to support them in developing their listening skills. |
| More Information: | AQA Website |
| Year 12 | |
| Curriculum Content: | Students follow either the Ab Initio (beginners), Standard or Higher Level courses. The approach to language learning at KS5 is very holistic. By the end of the course our students have grown into critical thinkers able to analyse the pros and cons of various issues in their own culture and that of the target language culture.
Ab Initio students study the topics of appearance, physical geography, relationships, home, daily routine, food, shopping, entertainment, transport, town, emergencies, health, weather, holidays, education and jobs. Standard and higher students study the topics of social relationships (relationships, social and religious events and educational systems), communication and media (TV, ads, press and the internet) and global issues (global warming; climate change; natural disasters, energy reserves, sustainability; migration; racism and poverty). Students have the opportunity to take part to MFL trips at KS5 which will build up their confidence in the use of target language, practise their language skills and experience the target language culture. |
| More Information: | IBO Website |
| Year 13 | |
| Curriculum Content: | In Year 13, students research about various issues comparing their own culture to that of the target language country. They become specialists and are able to express complex ideas and justify their point of view with specific facts. Their language learning is taken to its linguistic ceiling. Ab Initio students study the topics of the Media (TV, ads, press, celebrities and the internet), Technology (phones, music, shopping, banking, social networking and work), the Environment (types of pollution, global warming, climate change, recycling and natural resources) and Global issues (AIDS, poverty, war and charities). Standard and higher students study the topics of Health (exercise, nutrition, eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, smoking, mental health, cosmetic surgery, rights to the health services and epidemics) and Science and technology (ethics & science / technology, impact of IT on society, renewable energy and scientific research). Ab Initio students complete a piece of coursework (350 words), based on their research of a topic of their choice from the target language culture. |
| More Information: | IBO Website |