Modern Foreign Languages

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 have four languages lessons per week (two per language studied). Pupils are placed in sets where possible. The main topics studied include: family and friends, holidays, free time activities, school and places in town. We also cover the three main verb tenses and other aspects of grammar such as adjective agreement.  The four main skills are covered in each lesson – speaking, reading, writing and listening – and we also focus on the important skill of translation.

Pupils may take a second Modern Foreign Language as one of their option subjects.  This must be a language previously studied.  Pupils are not able to take up a Modern Foreign Language from scratch in Year 9.  Pupils begin the AQA GCSE course in Year 9 and focus on Theme 1, covering the topics of family and relationships, technology, free time and customs and festivals.  Pupils also consolidate grammar points covered in earlier years and cover new verb tenses. Pupils deepen their understanding of their chosen language(s) and have the opportunity to speak and write in more detail, as well as practising the key skills of listening, reading and translation.

Assessments throughout the year will include vocabulary, listening, reading, speaking and writing. Our aim is for pupils to be able to demonstrate general and specific understanding of the spoken and written language, to develop their use of vocabulary and to be more confident when asked to use the language spontaneously.

We continue with the AQA GCSE specification in Years 10 and 11, covering Themes 2 and 3 at Higher level, and revisiting Theme 1 in more depth.  Grammar knowledge is consolidated further and pupils practise listening, reading, speaking and writing in all lessons, along with translation. 

Studying a language at GCSE builds on what pupils have already learnt in previous years. Language lessons will still be fun and allow pupils to find out about other people and cultures.  Pupils will also have regular contact time with our language assistants.

We follow the AQA A level specification for all three languages. Topics covered include: family and relationships, the impact of technology in the wider world and charity work. There is also a lot of emphasis on the culture, history and politics of the target language country. A film and a book or play are studied over the two years and students also complete an Individual Research Project on a topic of their choosing.

• French, German and Spanish lunchtime conversation clubs.
• Duolingo Club.
• International Film Club.

GCSE French, German and Spanish revision clinics.

We offer biennial trips to France and Spain, and have run a German Christmas markets trip. Past destinations have included Nice, Granada and Cologne.

We take all opportunities to enjoy languages at Farnborough Hill and we celebrate key events in the linguistic calendar throughout the year. We have run a languages radio show for European Day of Languages and have invited theatre companies into school to perform plays in other languages.