EXAM BOARD

AQA

ASSESSMENT FORMAT

100% terminal examination

GRADE METHOD

9-1

 

GCSE

Learning a foreign language not only encourages and improves communication skills, but also prepares students for the world of work and enhances their personal and cultural experiences. From Year 7 to Year 11, all students have the opportunity to experience and enjoy learning a language.

German is one of three languages offered from Year 7 in mixed ability classes for six lessons per fortnight.  Students who start German in Year 7 will continue learning the language until the end of Year 8.  During the options process in Year 8, students may choose to study German at GCSE if they have studied it in Years 7 and 8.  We follow the AQA GCSE specification. Over the course of the GCSE, students will study topics from the following themes:

• Identity and Culture
• Local, national, international and global areas of interest
• Current and future study and employment

Students following the GCSE course will sit four examinations in listening, speaking, reading and writing with each accounting for 25% of the final grade.

Students are assessed in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.  We teach through a variety of topic areas that are underpinned with a range of key grammatical themes, so that students develop not only a wide knowledge of key language, but also an understanding of how the language works.

A key focus of our teaching and learning within the Modern Foreign Languages department is equipping students to be resilient, resourceful and confident language learners.  Supported by (HB)², we teach students a range of strategies on how to learn and retain new language and students regularly self-assess and evaluate their work in order to make progress going forward.

Throughout our teaching, we introduce students to the cultural aspect of the different countries, teaching customs, traditions and the typical foods and drinks of the country and its regions.  Annual events include The European Day of Languages for Year 7 and Year 10 A level taster sessions at Peter Symonds College. We have also established links with the University of Southampton and our students attend the Year 8 Able Linguist Day in the summer term.

GCSE Results 2023

• 9-1 100%
• 9-4 71.4%
• 9-5 66.7%
• 9-7 23.8%

MFL Teaching Staff

• Mr P Leggatt – Academic Leader: Modern Foreign Languages & Subject Leader (German): Teacher of German and French
• Mrs Y Hallett – Subject Leader (French): Teacher of French and Mandarin
• Mrs M McMillan – Subject Leader (Spanish):  Teacher of Spanish and French.
• Miss N Wilson –Teacher of Spanish and French.

The Henry Beaufort School has strong international links and many partnerships worldwide. See our International Links page for more information.

Please see attached below our German 5 year curriculum plan.

GCSE revision tips, useful websites and resources can be found here.

 

Numeracy and Literacy in Modern Foreign Languages

Literacy comes at the forefront of teaching within MFL.  Students learn to write, speak and read in the foreign language(s) that they study.  As well as learning the fundamental grammatical structures and vocabulary that underpin each language, students are encouraged to develop their work so that they can understand longer passages of text, express opinions both orally and in writing and to be able to talk about a range of topics in both written and oral form.  Students are regularly tested on spelling and grammar which, in turn, helps them to use the language independently and more confidently.

Numeracy in MFL is taught across a range of topics including numbers, dates (birthdays), shopping (clothes, and food), weights, measures and telling the time.

 

Prevent Duties and British values in modern Foreign Languages

Within the MFL department at The Henry Beaufort School we actively promote the key values of mutual respect, democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty.  Within MFL lessons we aim to create a safe and trustworthy environment in which every student feels comfortable to learn about, debate and reflect on the countries where the language they study are spoken.  Students are encouraged to appreciate the need for tolerance and injustice throughout the world and, in turn, develop an understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.  As well as studying the culture and customs of these countries, our students also come to understand and value the rule of law and their democratic systems.

 

SMSC in Modern Foreign Languages

 

SMSC is an integral part of the MFL curriculum and it lends itself to all aspects through the following topics:

Spiritual: Customs and festivals, personal identification and family,

Moral: Healthy Living, food, drugs, smoking, alcohol, family and relationships, the environment.

Social: Customs and festivals, extra-curricular provision: clinics, University of Southampton Able Linguist Day, Year 10 A Level taster at Peter Symonds, Visit to Berlin (Enrichment Week)

Cultural: Customs, festivals, school, food, hobbies, free time and leisure; visit to Berlin (Enrichment Week)

As well as covering SMSC through these topics, students are encouraged to discuss and reflect on the differences and similarities between the UK and the countries of the languages they study.