Modern Foreign Languages
Curriculum Area Leader: Mrs A Forrester
The Modern Foreign Languages Department at Coppice School aims to encourage students to develop the skills and confidence to consider themselves ‘global citizens’ who belong to a multicultural, mutually respectful world. Students increase their cultural capital by building knowledge of other countries, their languages and cultures and as a result are more open to new experiences and have a more profound understanding of their own language and culture.
Learning Environment & Resources
The MFL department is situated in the Communications Zone. There are three teaching rooms, one of which includes access to computers, as well as a trolley of 30 iPads which are available to enhance learning in the classroom.
The Department has developed a wide range of activities for use with the interactive whiteboards available in each teaching room. A range of specialist software titles is available for use in lessons and for revision purposes. Many resources have been produced “in-house” for use exclusively by our students, and we have invested in new course materials across all year groups.
MFL teachers are available to students who want extra support/tuition at lunch times and after school. Intervention takes place after school when needed in order to increase confidence and help students to improve their skills.
Key Stage 3
Students follow a programme of study to develop skills in the areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, providing a solid foundation for the GCSE course. The course is supported by a range of materials including the Allez textbook and other online resources. Topics covered include: Family, Food and Drink, Hobbies, Holidays, the Media, New Technology, Jobs and Healthy Living.
Key Stage 4
Students at Key Stage 4 have two French lessons each week and follow a 3-year Eduqas GCSE course. Over the three years the course covers the three themes of: Identity & Culture (Me, my family and friends; Technology in everyday life; Free-time activities; Customs and festivals in target language countries/communities); Local, national, international and global areas of interest (Home, town, neighbourhood & region; Social issues; Global Issues; Travel and tourism) and Current and future study and employment (My studies; Life at school/college; Education post-16; Jobs, career choices and ambitions)
Alongside the curriculum content, students continue to improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing which are separately assessed skills with equal weighting (25% per skill). Speaking exams consist of a role play, describing a photo, conservation questions.
Extra Curricular
Students have the opportunity to visit France as part of their GCSE course, as well as take part in other cultural activities such as food tasting and watching a French play.
