Modern Languages
With the focus at GCSE level to facilitate the Ebacc group of subjects, learning a foreign language is becoming more and more important. At South Charnwood we focus on French and Spanish as these are popular languages with countries boasting strong or developing economies around the world. There is a national shortage of linguists and anyone who can express themselves in another language will know what confidence that can bring.
In teaching French and Spanish at South Charnwood we focus on three core values:
Language Learning
We intend all our pupils to learn enough grammar and vocabulary to be able to express themselves in their language. This will involve all the key skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and incorporate a number of learning techniques. This comprises vocabulary learning, retention, interleaving repetition and revision ideas.
We include a wide breadth of activities, with particular focus on GCSE ‘style’ assessments right from Year 7, for example role plays, describing a photo and reading aloud a variety of material.
Successful Transitions
We have a sequenced and mapped ‘Learning Journey’ and, in tandem with our Dynamo and Viva courses, ensure that the National Curriculum is matched in our broad scheme of learning.
We build upon learning that takes place at our feeder primary schools but allow for those pupils with more limited experience to start ‘from scratch’. From Year 7 onwards there are differentiated lessons that allow those pupils who can, to stretch and challenge themselves.
We aim to prepare our pupils for further study at Key Stage 5 and beyond, into their working lives.
Cultural Capital
We support our language lessons with cultural information about the Francophone and Hispanic world and give pupils a taste of a wider society. We run successful French trips when possible that offer hands-on experience of life in another country. With Brexit comes new opportunities for our pupils to make their way in the world and branch out, forging new paths in the wider world.
Spanish learning journey removed for revision: email Head of Department should you have queries.
In Year 7, all pupils learn French and Spanish in mixed ability tutor groups. They follow the latest “Dynamo” course in French, and aspects of the "Viva" course in Spanish, to ensure that key details are studied, but there is a wide variety of ‘branches’ off the main course to cover aspects of life in French- and Spanish-speaking countries. We also cover real-world creative scenarios and careers-linked situations. In Years 8 and 9, pupils are put into mixed ability groups and continue the course with Dynamo / Viva 2 and 3, all the while gaining confidence in the skills they will need to take the GCSE exams. This includes practice assessments in listening, speaking, reading and writing. In Years 10 and 11 the pupils follow the new AQA GCSE course, designed for the 1-9 curriculum, and broaden their horizons ready for the four exams at the end of Year 11.
The four skills we study in languages are listening, speaking, reading and writing and a combination of these is usually planned into lessons, unless there is a focus on one in particular. Pupils can expect extension work to really push them, sometimes including ‘regalia’ gathered from genuine French sources. Any pupils in need of a little extra help are guaranteed carefully adapted work and only have to ask their teacher for support. We track and monitor pupils from when they start at South Charnwood to ensure everyone reaches his or her potential and intervene in cases of underachievement. To reduce stress before tests, we have a regular homework to learn around ten items of vocabulary. There is a quick ten-question quiz to monitor this and learn how best to learn.
Each pupil receives two books at the beginning of the year. The green or red book is for neat work and should be used for revision. This work will be checked by teachers, constructive feedback given and targets set. It also contains a chart to show progress in the four skills during the year. The purple book is for planning, rough work and games. This is not normally marked except to check rough drafts. ICT rooms or Chromebooks are often used to extend learning. This includes an online suite to accompany the “Dynamo” and “Viva” courses, including online homework. We also subscribe to thisisschool.com, which offers a wide variety of short video clips of real French and Spanish being spoken and to Memrise, which is a vocabulary based programme. There are games, activities and comprehension exercises as well as support for vocabulary and grammar learning. Finally, at GCSE level we have access to ExamPro, which allows our pupils to access AQA-approved exam questions in all four skills. The impact of ICT is also evident in our classrooms, equipped with interactive whiteboards for group discussion work, games and explaining languages. We have video and audio recording equipment for presentations as well as assessed pieces of work.
Members of the department have organised a popular trip to France in Year 7, which includes a visit to the battlefields of the First World War, a tour of the local area (Rue), a visit to a market (Berck) and a challenge to complete there, activities at the Château in which we stay (Le Château du Broutel), a camp fire, a visit to a bakery and a trip to Disneyland (Paris)!
