Modern Foreign Languages
To learn another language is to learn a skill for life. Our pupils will be entering a global workplace and so language-learning has never been more important, particularly since 75% of the world’s population do not speak English.
Modern Foreign Languages are a core subject at Kings Norton Girls’ School and all our pupils will study at least one language other than English during their time with us. We aim to equip our pupils with the skills and confidence to communicate in another language to the very best of their ability and also to understand the written and spoken form of that language.
KS3 Curriculum
On arrival at Kings Norton Girls’ School, all year 7 pupils will study French. This may build on their experiences of language-learning in their primary school or it may be completely new. In year 8, just over half of the year group will begin the study of a second language as well (Spanish) and they will pursue both languages until at least the end of year 9. The remaining pupils will have extra time for French on their timetable, which allows for consolidation and confidence-building.
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum aims to give a firm foundation to language learning and to equip our pupils with the skills and good habits they will need in order to be successful. Memory skills, an awareness of phonics, attention to detail with spelling and the ability to check work carefully all feature strongly, as do the need for development of ideas and the expression and justification of opinions. Promoting an understanding of grammar is fundamental to our teaching and by the end of Key Stage 3, most pupils can refer to past, present and future events in the target language. We encourage pupils to access appropriate language-learning websites in order to consolidate the work they do in lessons and to extend their range of vocabulary.
KS4 Curriculum
Languages remain a core subject in Key Stage 4 and all students work towards accreditation in at least one language. For most pupils, this will be a GCSE course but from September 2024, a small number prepare for a Kings Norton Girls’ School Certificate of Basic Competence in Spanish. Students who have studied two languages in Key Stage 3 may decide to continue with both, with one studied as their core language and the other as an option subject.
Course content in Key Stage 4 builds extensively on work covered during Key Stage 3 and allows pupils to further develop their knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and sentence structure.
The GCSE course is organised into three themes:
Theme 1: People and Lifestyle
- Identity and relationships with others
- Healthy living and lifestyle
- Education and work
Theme 2: Popular Culture
- Free-time activities
- Customs, festivals and celebrations
- Celebrity culture
Theme 3: Communication and the World Around Us
- Travel and tourism, including places of interest
- Media and technology
- The environment and where people live
The four key skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing are all assessed separately and each contributes 25% of the final GCSE grade. Examinations in all four skills take place at the end of the course. The speaking assessment includes a reading aloud task and is conducted by the class teacher before being marked externally.
Exam Board
- AQA
KS5 Curriculum
Homework
In Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, two homework tasks are set per week, to ensure that our students can maintain their progress from one lesson to the next. Tasks will vary between comprehension work, vocabulary learning, research tasks, online learning and practice activities, written tasks and preparation for assessments.
Students in Key Stage 5 will be set homework tasks after every lesson and will also be directed to additional tasks to complete during study periods or independent study time in school.
Extra-curricular activities
The Modern Foreign Languages Faculty offer a range of activities to enhance language-learning. Currently, in Year 8, students are offered the opportunity to enjoy a short residential trip to France. This is always well-supported. There is also a cross-curricular cultural visit to Spain for students in Year 10 studying Spanish and/or art/photography/textiles.
There is a thriving Language Ambassador group which includes students from Years 9-13. They run a lunchtime clinic to offer individual support to students in Key Stage 3 and take responsibility for promoting Modern Languages through displays, organisation of language-based competitions and presence at Open Evening events.