Modern Foreign Languages
 |
French Knowledge Organiser |
Spanish Knowledge Organiser |
Exam Board: AQA
Why study a Modern Foreign Language (MFL)?
At STFS students can choose between French or Spanish to continue at GCSE. Both are truly global languages that are spoken across the continents, not just in Europe. Learning languages is not only important in the world we live in today but also provides students with the opportunity to develop skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives. The internet has brought everyone much closer together so chatting, blogging and networking with people of different languages from all over the world is easier than ever. MFL students will be able to communicate with people all over the world and travel to amazing places to visit or to work, while becoming more tolerant individuals in the process.
What does the course involve?
GCSE modern foreign language courses require students to develop an understanding of topic work from three themes.
Identity and Culture
Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest
Current and Future Studies and Employment
During the course students will be expected to compile their own study book featuring grammar notes, vocabulary and phrases. Homework will be set every week with tasks ranging from comprehension activities, vocabulary learning or preparation for assessment.
How will the skills that I develop help me in my future career?
At the heart of language learning is the skill of communicating effectively. The confidence students will build over the course of the GCSE through expressing ideas and justifying opinions are invaluable for any job or career. Students also develop their ability to elicit key points and comprehend information in reading tasks which is an important skill for so many jobs. So regardless of whether students go on to use the language itself or not, the skills they will learn along the way are useful for any future path.
How will I be assessed?
The course requires students to display competency in four key skill areas which are assessed in the structure set out below. There is a foundation tier (grades 1–5) and a higher tier (grades 4–9). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier.
Listening - Understanding and responding to different types of spoken language - 25% of final grade.
Speaking - Communicating and interacting effectively in speech for a variety of purposes - 25% of final grade
Reading - Understanding and responding to different types of written language - 25% of final grade
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing for a variety of purposes - 25% of final grade.
I am unsure if I can manage a GCSE in Modern Foreign Languages- is there an alternative?
If you are genuinely concerned that your son or daughter will struggle academically to access a language GCSE and feel this extra stress would be detrimental to their education, please contact Miss Hughes (email below) to discuss possible alternative qualification options. Subject to discussion and timetable, it may be that we can offer an alternative language certificate (an FCSE) that is a slightly lower level to a GCSE thus allowing them to achieve real success in MFL while also being able to focus on the core GCSEs.
Who do I need to contact?
For more information, please email Miss Hughes - annie.hughes@sirthomasfremantle.org
