MFL

Who we are:

Ms J Medina – Assistant Headteacher & Head of MFL

Ms M Diaz Alfonso – Spanish Teacher

General Introduction to the subject:

We teach Spanish to Key Stages 3 and 4. At Key Stage 3 we have two lessons per week and four lessons at Key

Stage 4.

Through our knowledge-rich languages curriculum, we equip pupils to become lifelong language

learners and adaptable world citizens. Knowledge of a Modern Foreign Language is essential for academic

success and enables pupils to pursue successful international careers and lives. At Fulham Cross Academy

students acquire knowledge of grammatical concepts and develop language learning skills, successfully

preparing them for future language learning opportunities. Students also learn about the language, arts,

history and customs of the language studied. This cultural knowledge transforms our students into World

Citizens, empowering students to be open-minded and adaptable to new experiences.

KS3 Languages – our approach

The Languages department employs a range of strategies to ensure students learn in an enjoyable, positive

and inclusive environment. To enable our students to become successful language learners, we have reviewed

our curriculum, created teaching resources for students to have a greater sense of confidence, and improved

knowledge.

All homework is set on Google classrooms for all year groups once per week.

Our approach includes:

● Knowledge organisers central to all lessons, enabling students to build accurate sentences

● Extensive drilling of chunks of language through games and speaking activities

● Focus on listening and speaking skills at the start of every unit of work

● Use of texts that are 95% comprehensible to build fluency

● Explicit teaching of language learning and decoding skills

● Regular ‘pop up’ grammar sessions

● Systematic revisiting of knowledge to produce deep and durable learning

Sequencing the curriculum is essential to generate deep and durable learning in Languages. Where possible we

replicate the order by which children naturally acquire their first language. We therefore start Year 7 by

learning key phonics. The learning of these sounds is reinforced in every unit of work, when we introduce new

Knowledge Organisers. In Year 7 we learn the key grammatical ideas on which all languages are built. Students

start by introducing themselves in the present tense, give opinions and talk about their possessions. This

allows students to learn how adjectives behave, and the importance of the gender of nouns. Students also

learn about infinitives and how verbs are conjugated, including common irregular verbs such as ‘to be’ and ‘to

have’. This knowledge is essential in order to be able to access the Year 8 and 9 curricula, where students learn

to describe events in the past and future as well as complex structures. When appropriate we also ‘seed-plant’

chunks of language. Seed planting exposes students to common chunks of language before students are

expected to understand the grammar behind the phrase. For example, students learn the important phrase ‘I

would like’ from the first term, even though the conditional tense is not taught explicitly until Year 9.

Cultural Awareness;

We believe that grammar and vocabulary cannot be taught in isolation. Students require knowledge of the

traditions and culture of the country in order to develop confidence and fluency in their foreign language.

Furthermore, the ability to understand and explain cultural knowledge empowers our students to become

open minded and adaptable world citizens. Students are surprised to learn that you do not need to say please

and thank you when shopping in Spain. This knowledge enables students to reconsider stereotypes of

international visitors.

We run extra – curricular enrichment clubs for Spanish and French and trips abroad are also something we are

passionate about offering where possible.

GCSE MFL

GCSE MFL learning broadens students’ horizons and encourages them to step beyond familiar cultural

boundaries. Students develop new ways of seeing the world, enabling them to become compassionate and

resilient Global Citizens.

Exam Board - Pearson Edexcel

Subject aims and learning outcomes

The Spanish course incorporates the latest GCSE specifications and enables students to:

● deepen their knowledge about how language works and enrich their vocabulary so they can develop

independence in a wide range of contexts

● communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and writing, conveying what

they want to say with increasing accuracy

● express and develop thoughts and ideas spontaneously and fluently

● listen to and understand clearly articulated, standard speech at near normal speed

● respond to a rich range of authentic spoken and written material, adapted and abridged, as appropriate,

including literary texts

● develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities

where the language is spoken

● develop language learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare them for further language study

and use in school, higher education or in employment

The final exam requirements for GCSE are set out in two tiers: foundation and higher and these apply to four

exams; Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Here are some useful websites to support with learning:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish

http://www.languagesonline.org.uk/

http://www.disfrutamadrid.com/

http://www.google.es/

www.duolingo.com

www.senecalearning.com

Languages opens up a wealth of career opportunities. Here are some examples:

• International business ( importing and exporting)

• Law

• Finance & banking

• Interpreting /translating ( United Nations work)

• Sports and leisure

• Teaching & lecturing

• Travel and tourism

• Journalism & broadcasting

• Diplomatic service for UK government overseas ( embassy careers)

• Airline services

• Advertising, editing or publishing

• Subtitles and voice over work ( TV, film, radio)

• Event management

• Health and well - being

• Technology and computer gaming

• Creative and media (app design)

• Construction

Further Education opportunities in MFL:

• International advanced A level in Spanish

• A level courses in Languages

• AS level courses in Languages

• Bachelor of Arts Degree courses in Languages