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Modern Foreign Languages

Students at Cardinal Newman study at least one foriegn language in accordance with National Curriculum requirements. The aim of the department is to enable students to communicate effectivly with speakers of French and German.It is hoped that students will enjoy the experience of learning a modern foreign language, appreciate cultural differences and become aware of the benifits which language skills can bring

Teaching Environment

There are 3 MFL teaching rooms, each with an interactive whiteboard, laptop, OHP, CD player, the use of TV and video and listening stations with headphones. Classes also have access to the ICT suites through timetabling.

Teaching and Learning

At KS3 pupils study French and / or German enabling them to make a genuine, well-informed choice at the end of Year 9 when opting for their GCSE subjects. Pupils are grouped according to ability and importance is attached to the numbers of pupils in each set so that class groupings do not become too large to promote effective learning. At KS4 pupils follow a GCSE course in German and / or French - all will take the AQA examination and will be entered for either Foundation or Higher Level, depending on ability.

Gifted and Talented

Provision is made for Gifted or Talented linguists via early GCSE entry, access to an independent ICT resource "Eurotalk", a visit to a foreign play and the opportunity to attend LA run activities.

KS3 National Strategy

Following the introduction of the National KS3 Strategy in the foundation subjects MFL Staff took part in INSET on the planning, inclusion and teaching of the objectives included in the five strands which promote Words, Sentences, Texts, Listening & Speaking and Cultural Awareness. Staff teach to the four part lesson plan, which includes objective setting, a starter activity, the main teaching of the lesson and a plenary.

Assessment for Learning

As part of the foundation strategy's support for whole school improvement the department aims to ensure pupils are aware of their own attainment and the steps needed to make further progress. We have developed opportunities for self assessment via pupil record sheets, level descriptors in pupil speak and target setting. Peer assessment was introduced via oral examinations and PowerPoint presentations and exemplar material has been collated in the form of a portfolio for KS4, a display board of excellence and a department database for staff to record progress.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The department aims to run alternating visits to both France and Germany. The benefit reaped by the students who take part is enormous - their language skills and their insight into the way of life and the culture of the country increase considerably. Students from Year 8 and 9 have the opportunity to take part in shorter trips, e.g. a trip to Paris and Euro Disney.