Modern Foreign Languages

Department Vision

Our vision is to foster a passion for the study of modern languages so that pupils are confident, internationally minded and able to make great progress by expressing themselves fluently and coherently in their chosen language.

Our curriculum will be demanding and will enable our students to make clear and rapid progress through the development of core linguistic structures. We will foster a love of learning and extend their knowledge in a systematic way to prepare them for GCSE and beyond.

The opportunities for linguists in a rapidly changing world are extensive. We will endeavour to raise the aspirations of our students to ensure that they are fully equipped to enter into this vibrant and exciting global market.

The curriculum is challenging, pushing all students to achieve to their potential and providing opportunities for pupils to study different cultures. Outside of lessons, we offer lunchtime peer support sessions as well as help clubs run by staff. Pupils have the opportunity to participate in various one-off celebrations and cultural events as well as visits abroad.

French - Year 7

Year 7
Term	Topics	Learning Outcomes
1	Myself and others	Themes Communicating in the language Talking about likes and dislikes Describing yourself and others Linguistic Structures Learning the verbs être and avoir Giving developed opinions Using regular verbs in the present tense
2	Talking about school	Themes Talking about school subjects, timetable & school day Talking about the food you eat Finding out about schools in other French-speaking countries Linguistic Structures Justifying opinions with a range of adjectives Using connectives and time phrases Introduction to present tense forming questions Using “on” to say we
3	Talking about free time	Themes Talking about computers and mobiles Talking about which sports you play Talking about activities Saying what you like doing Describing what other people do Linguistic Structures aimer/adorer/détester + infinitive ils/elles verb forms (regular –er verbs + être, faire) Learning a range of present tense verbs (jouer à + a sport, faire de + a
4	Talking about where you live.	Themes Talking about your town/village Giving directions Talking about where you go Asking someone to go somewhere Saying what you can do in your town Linguistic Structures Learning the verb ‘aller’ à + the definite article, aller (present tense) vouloir + infinitive Using on peut + infinitive
5	Talking about holidays	Themes Talking about your holidays Describing a past holiday Linguistic structures nous forms (regular –er verbs + aller, faire) introduction to past tense
6	Future holiday plans	Themes Talking about holiday plans Saying what you would like to do Buying drinks and snacks Using higher numbers Linguistic structures Using the near future tense Using je voudrais + infinitive Practice of Future Tense and Past Tense verbs and key structures Revision and practice of connectives, opinion structures, time phrases

French - Year 8

Year 8 French
Term	Topics	Learning Outcomes
1	Media in your life	Themes Talking about television programmes Talking about films Talking about reading Talking about the Internet Talking about what you did yesterday evening Giving opinions on films, TV shows and books Linguistic structures Revision of regular -er verbs and key irregular verbs être, lire, faire, mettre and aller Development of knowledge of the passé composé Presenting developed opinions using a range of adjectives
2	Talking about a recent/future visit	Themes Describing activities during a recent trip Describing how you travelled Giving opinions about a trip Describing a future visit Linguistic structures The perfect tense regular verbs The perfect tense: irregular verbs Giving opinions in a range of tenses Recall and practice of near future tense
3	Talking about yourself, your family and your interests	Themes Describing your personality Describing your interests Describing relationships Talking about music Describing what you wear Linguistic structures Masculine and feminine adjective endings Opinions with infinitive verbs Introduction to reflexive present tense verbs
4	Describing your house, town and local area	Themes Describing where you live Describing your home Talking about meals Discussing what food to buy Talking about a recent event Linguistic structures Making comparisons with ‘plus’ and ‘moins’ Using prepositions with de + articles Revision of ‘il y a’ in different tenses Revision of modal verb ‘pouvoir’
5	Talking about your talents and ambitions	Themes Describing your talents Saying what you must and can do Linguistic structures Using structures followed by the infinitive Using the modal verb ‘devoir’ Narrating an event in the past tense
6	Francophonie	Themes World geography and French Speaking countries Linguistic structures Practice of Future Tense and Past Tense verbs and key structures Revision and practice of connectives, opinion structures, time phrases

French - Year 9

Year 9 French
Term	Topics	Learning Outcomes
1	Describing what you do in your free time	Themes Giving your opinion about someone Arranging to go out Describing an event in the past tense Linguistic structures Using direct object pronouns Revision of regular and irregular present tense structures Revision of near future and passé composé Revision of connectives, time phrases and opinion phrases
2	Staying fit and healthy	Themes Talking about sport Learning about healthy eating Making plans to get fit Describing levels of fitness talking about adopting a healthier lifestyle Linguistic structures Using the structure ‘j’ai mal à’ to describe injuries Using the structure ‘il faut’ and ‘il est nécessaire de Introduction to the simple future tense present, perfect and future tenses + il y avait, c’était, il faut
3	The world of work	Themes Describing jobs Learning languages Saying what you used to do Discussing your future and your past Talking about your job Linguistic structures Using the verb ‘vouloir’ in different tense Masculine and feminine forms of jobs Using infinitive structures Giving opinions using the conditional tense
4	Talking about holidays	Themes Discussing holidays Imagining adventure holidays Talking about what you take with you on holiday Linguistic structures the pronoun y question forms the conditional Using reflexive verbs
5	Holiday (continued)	Themes Describing what happened on holiday Visiting a tourist attraction Linguistic structures the perfect tense (irregular past participles & être verbs)
6	Talking about your rights and dreams	Themes Your rights as a teenager What you are allowed and not allowed to do Explaining what makes you happy Linguistic structures avoir le droit de + infinitive possessive adjectives Using infinitives to mean ‘–ing’

French - Years 10 & 11

Year 10 French

Term

AQA Topics

Learning Outcomes

1.1 Me, my family and friends

1.3 Free time activities

Themes

Self, family and friends
Going out
Your younger self
Role models

Linguistic structures

Irregular verbs in present tense, relative pronoun qui
near future & perfect tense
The imperfect tense
Using 3 tenses

1.3 Free time activities

1.2 Technology in everyday life

Themes

Revision of TV, Films, Music and technology
Talking about sport
Your life online
Books and reading
Talking about actors and films

Linguistic structures

Position of adjectives
Depuis + the present tense,
The verb faire
Comparative adjectives, The relative pronoun que
Using the comparative, imperfect tense
Direct object pronouns, The superlative

1.4 Customs and traditions in French speaking countries

Themes

Describing your daily life
Talking about food for special occasions
Using polite language

Linguistic structures

Modal verbs pouvoir and devoir
Asking questions
The pronoun en
Questions in the tu and vous forms

1.4 Customs and traditions in French speaking countries

Themes

-Describing family celebrations
-Describing festivals and traditions

Linguistic structures

venir de + infinitive
Using a combination of tenses

2.1 Home, town, neighbourhood and region

2.2 Social issues

Themes

Talking about your region
Talking about what to see and do
Weather

Linguistic structures

The pronoun y, negatives
Asking questions using quel
Future tense

2.1 Home, town, neighbourhood and region

2.2 Social issues (Term 5 continued)

Themes

Community projects

Linguistic structures

Future tense
Using a range of tenses

Year 11 French
Term	AQA Topics	Learning Outcomes
1 (4 weeks) (3 weeks)	2.4 Travel and tourism 3.1 My studies 3.2 Life at school/college	Themes Talking about holidays. Ideal holidays Booking hotels and making travel arrangements Holiday activities and eating out Problems on holiday Linguistic structures Using the conditional tense Reflexive verbs in perfect tense Pronoun en and present participle Pluperfect tense Themes Giving opinions about school subjects Describing a typical school day and describing a memorable day Giving opinions about the school rules Talking about future plans Linguistic Structures: Revision of present tense verbs Revision of passé composé Infinitive structures, including ‘il faut’ and ‘il est interdit de’ Revision of simple future tense
2	3.3 Education post-16 3.4 Jobs, career choices and ambitions	Themes Jobs and work preferences Discussing career choices Talking about plans, hopes and wishes Discussing the importance of languages Applying for jobs Understanding case studies Linguistic structures The conditional Comparison The perfect infinitive, The subjunctive Adverbs,en + the present participle Direct object pronoun in perfect tense Verbs followed by à or de
3	2.3 Global issues	Themes Discussing problems facing the world Protecting the environment Discussing ethical shopping Talking about volunteering Discussing big events Linguistic structures Linguistic structures Using the modal verbs pouvoir and devoir in the conditional The passive Indirect object pronouns
4	Revision of all topics and preparation for speaking exams	Preparation of exam skills for speaking exam: role play, photo card and general conversation Preparation of exam skills for writing, reading and listening exams
5	Term 5	Revision of all topics
6

Spanish - Year 8

Year 8
Term	Topics	Learning Outcomes
1	Introductions and about me	Themes Classroom language Introducing yourself Counting up to 31 Saying when your birthday is Learning the Spanish alphabet Items in schoolbag and classroom Talking about your family Describing pets and colours Linguistic Structures using the verb ‘tener’ to give your age the indefinite article (un/una) the definite article (el/la) number and gender of Spanish words possessive adjective ‘mi(s)’ making colours agree with nouns
2	School	Themes Saying what you do in lessons Describing teachers Giving opinions and reasons Talking about snacks Linguistic Structures understanding regular –ar, -er and –ir verbs adjectives that end in o/a understanding adjective agreement using ‘comer’ and ‘beber’
3	Describing self and others	Themes Talking about your brothers and sisters Counting up to 100 Describing appearance and character Describing eyes and hair Talking about where you live Linguistic Structures Using the possessive adjectives ‘mi(s), tu(s), su(s)’ jouer à + a sport using the verb ‘ser’ using adjectives after nouns understanding all forms of ‘vivir’
4	Talking about where you live	Themes Talking about your town/village Describing the rooms in your house Describing your bedroom Talking about activities you do in your bedroom Describing places in town Linguistic Structures using ‘estar’ with location understanding all forms of -ar and -er verbs prepositions stem-changing verbs in the present tense Using on peut + infinitive
5	Free Time	Themes Saying what you do in your free time Telling the time Talking about sports Saying what you would like to do Saying what you are going to do Revision Of Terms 1-4 topics and grammar for End of Year exam Linguistic Structures using ‘salir’ and ‘hacer’ verb ‘ir’ using ‘me gusta’ and the infinitive near future tense
6	Describing your area	Themes Saying what your town is like Making and responding to invitations Describing weather Linguistic Structures using ‘querer’ using 2/3 tenses togethe

Spanish - Year 9

Year 9
Term	Topics	Learning Outcomes
1	Media	Themes Talking about what you use computers for Describing television programmes Comparing films Talking about different types of music Describing what a film is about Linguistic Structures present tense regular ar, er, ir verbs adjectives and opinions near future tense preterite tense regular ar, er, ir verbs combining two tenses (present and preterite)
2	School	Themes Describing school Asking and answering questions Describing school subject options Giving opinions about teachers Talking about school rules Discussing after-school clubs Linguistic Structures forming questions using ‘a mí, a ti, etc’ for emphasis using superlatives using ‘se debe’ and ‘se puede’ Combining three tenses
3	Health and fitness	Themes Learning the parts of the body Describing symptoms Discussing healthy and unhealthy food Talking about healthy living Discussing lifestyle changes Linguistic Structures using ‘me duele’ and ‘me duelen’ using ‘tener’ and ‘estar’ correctly direct object pronouns Using ‘para’ to build more complex sentences
4	Jobs and future plans	Themes Earning and spending pocket money Saying what you would like to do Talking about jobs Talking about future plans Revision Of Terms 1-4 topics and grammar for End of Year exam Linguistic Structures using third-person verb forms using ‘me gustaría’ using masculine and feminine job titles future tense Using on peut + infinitive
5	Spain and the Spanish speaking world	Themes Learning more about Spanish-speaking countries Learning about a region in Spain Linguistic Structures modal verbs using ‘usted’
6	Spain and the Spanish speaking world continued	Themes Learning about a town in Spain Asking permissions Buying train tickets General revision Linguistic Structures Forming complex sentences modal verbs using ‘usted’

Spanish - Years 10 & 11

Year 10
Term	AQA Topics	Learning Outcomes
1	2.4 Travel and tourism	Themes and Linguistic Structures Revision of weather expressions Describing what you like to do Narrating past holiday Describing how you travelled, with who, where you stayed Describing a past holiday using the imperfect tense Opinion phrases present and past and justifications using some expressions and a range of adjectives Preterite tense Imperfect Infinitive structures
2	3.1.1 My studies 3.2 Life at school/college	Themes and Linguistic Structures Giving opinions/justifications about school subjects Describing a typical day in school Using the imperfect tense to describe what your primary school used to be like Describing school uniform and school rules Discussing problems at school Talking about a memorable day in the past /a future visit Comparatives Revision of present tense Imperfect tense Near future
3	1.2 Technology in everyday life 1.3 Free time activities	Themes and Linguistic Structures Describing what applications, you use and what for in different tenses The advantages and disadvantages of technology Reading online vs reading books Describing relationships and family members Describing a good friend Narration of past event with a friend/family member Future narration Time phrases Opinions and justifications using a range of adjectives Present tense, reflexive verbs
4	1.3 Free time activities	Themes and Linguistic Structures Describing leisure activities that you do in your free time in the present and past tense Expressing opinions about free time activities and justifications using a wide range of adjectives Sports Films and Cinema Infinitive structures Present and past tense Opinions and justifications in different tenses Present Perfect
5	2.1 Home, town, neighbourhood and region	Themes and Linguistic Structures Places in a town Describing where you live and location Describing what you can do in a town in the present, past and future Describing the weather Talking about shopping Pros and cons of living in a city How you would improve your city Haber, vivir, se puede in different tenses (present, imperfect, future and imperfect subjunctive Soler + infinitive Conditional
6	Revision of key structures	Themes and Linguistic Structures Revision, recall and embedding of the linguistic structures from year 10 Practice of Future Tense, Past Tense and Conditional verbs and key structures Revision and practice of connectives, opinion structures, time phrases Practice of formation of developed answers for speaking and writing questions in present, past and future Practice of formation of developed opnions
Year 11
Term	Topics	Learning Outcomes
1	1.4 Customs and traditions in Spanish speaking countries	Themes and Linguistic Structures Talking about Spanish food and drink Opinions about food and drink and justifications Describing Spanish Festivals Narrating past events/ festivals Describing festivals when you were younger Opinions and justifications using a wide range of adjectives Adjective agreements Past tense (Preterite and Imperfect) Future tense Imperfect Subjunctive structures
2	3.3 Education post-16 3.4 Jobs, career choices and ambitions	Themes and Linguistic Structures Talking about part time jobs What you do to earn money Work experience What you would like to do in the future for a job and why Opinions about jobs Describing what you would do if you had a gap year Future plans Narration in the past tense Conditional tense Structures to express future Simple future Time phrases, connectives, intensifiers
3	2.3 Global issues 2.2 Social issues	Themes and Linguistic Structures Protecting the environment Global issues Healthy life styles Future actions about environment Recent actions using past tense impersonal structures Infinitive structures Opinions and justifications using a wide range of adjectives
4	Revision of all topics and preparation for speaking exams	Themes and Linguistic Structures Preparation of exam skills for speaking exam: role play, photo card and general conversation Preparation of exam skills for writing, reading and listening exams
5	Revision of all topics and preparation for final exams	Preparation of exam skills for writing, reading and listening exams
6

Related Careers

In most careers today, the ability to communicate in a foreign language is a highly valued skill and currently there is a particular shortage of people with languages in Engineering and Finance. In addition, people who can speak a foreign language earn on average up to 20% more than people who cannot.

French and Spanish speakers are highly sought after by employers and both are useful subjects if you are thinking of working in any of a variety of areas including travel and tourism, transport and distribution, importing and exporting, education, media, publishing, finance and banking marketing and sales, local and central government, recruitment, social services, the armed forces and the retail sectors.

An example of the sort of jobs languages could help you get:

Intelligence personnel

Retail Buyer

Linguist in the military

Video games tester

Accountant

Sales executive

Football analyst

Tour organiser

Journalist

Solicitor

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