MFL department (French and Spanish)
Aims
The MFL classroom is a stimulating environment and language lessons at the Towers offer a broad range of activities that are aimed at developing an enthusiasm for languages and cultures. We hope that when pupils leave they will have become more confident in their own abilities, having established a secure foundation on which they will be able to develop their language skills further, thus enabling them to take their place in the global community.
MFL staff:
| MFL Co-ordinator: | Mrs C Paull | BA (Hons), PGCE |
| Teachers: | Mrs P Pappenheim | BA (Joint Hons), Dip. Comp. Sc.,QTS, PGCE,PCE |
| Mrs D Sparkes | BA (Hons), PGDip. (Acting) |
Outline of courses
French is a core subject and is therefore studied by virtually all pupils up to GCSE, which is taken at the end of Year 11.
In Years 7 and 8 it is taught in mixed ability groups. Many Year 7 pupils will have previous experience of the language but some will be complete beginners.
We ensure that the needs of the individuals are met, both by offering extra, one-to-one support and by providing extension activities and resources.
From Year 9 the girls are divided into 2 sets according to ability.
Spanish is introduced in Year 9 with one lesson a week, offering all students a chance to develop a basic grounding in the language. The focus of this course is speaking and listening.
In Years 10 and 11 Spanish is a popular choice as one of the GCSE options. Girls opting for this second language then follow a fast-track two year course.
In both French and Spanish, there is an emphasis on the importance of learning vocabulary and grammar but at the same time lessons are active, incorporating drama, songs, games (both traditional and computer-based).
Other activities include filming and editing a DVD, art-based activities and even aerobics in French!
Interactive whiteboards are a key resource and there are computers for individual use in the MFL classroom. We also offer a range of books, magazines and board games in French and Spanish.
Assessments are carried out on a regular basis. There are tests at the end of each unit of work, normally assessing two of the key skills. These results are then used to track the pupils’ progress in all skill areas. Examinations in the summer term for Years 7 to 10 include all four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
The syllabus at KS4 prepares the pupils for the AQA GCSE. This requires them to submit 4 controlled assessment tasks (two oral and two written). Listening and reading comprehension are tested in the examinations in May/ June at the end of year 11.
Extracurricular activities
There is a weekly “MFL clinic” which is available to students in all years, enabling them to receive individual support.
This is particularly useful for girls who are new to the school and gives them the opportunity to fill in any gaps in their previous experience of the language.
Extra-curricular activities offered by the department include an introduction to Italian in a weekly lunchtime club.
Able linguists are also given the opportunity to attend Latin club in which they can work towards a Cambridge Latin Course qualification.
http://www.wordreference.com/ (An online dictionary and verb conjugator)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
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Towers Convent School
