KS3 and Languages
All classes have an interactive white board and we have regular visits to ICT rooms if the 15 laptops that the department bought are used by KS4/5 students.
The language department also works closely with the library and holds regular competitions.
| YEAR 7 Topics | |||||
| Hello | School | Family and friends | Home | Free time | Plans for the near future |
| YEAR 8 Topics | |||||
| People | Going out | Holidays | Food | Clothes | Visiting a town |
| YEAR 9 Topics | |||||
| Mass media | School | Health | Jobs and the future | Visiting a country | Inviting someone to your house |
Allocation of languages
Unless parents put in writing a request during the transition period for their children to study Spanish or French with a valid reason (i.e. they have studied it in primary school, they have a house in Spain, their siblings are doing the same language already, etc.), the MFL department will allocate the language on the first lesson. At the moment, there are 1 set of Spanish and 1 set of French per band.
Once a student has been given a language, that same language will be studied up to year 9, when the students will be able to make the option to carry on with the same language into KS4.
Homework
Homework is normally set after each lesson. This may comprise written or learning activities and pupils are encouraged to visit web-sites. Students should be spending approximately ½ on the majority of pieces of homework. Completion of homework is monitored and failure to complete homework will result in departmental sanctions.
Resources
All students will be allocated a textbook at the beginning of the year. Students are responsible to keep it in a decent state and to bring it to all lessons. If students misplace it, parents will have to pay for a replacement.
Year 7: Expo 1 (for French) / Mira 1 (for Spanish)
Year 8: Expo 2 (for French) / Mira 2 (for Spanish)
Year 9: Expo 3 (for French) / Mira 3 rojo or verde (for Spanish)
Students will also get an exercise book which will have to be decorated with some photos related to the language learnt and covered with sticky back paper. It is also vital to have it in all lessons.
For languages we ask students to have at least 4 different colour pens (preferably blue, black, red and green) and the usual equipment established in the contact book (pencil, rubber, sharpener, colouring pencils, glue, safety scissors).
Failure to bring all equipment to the lessons will result in departmental sanctions.
Progression
Students are taught the topics according to whichever language and text book they have, although all topics are covered. Each unit lasts approximately 6 weeks and there is equal emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Progression through the Key Stage is ensured by basing the grammar on the National Framework outcomes and students sit a test at the end of each topic (either listening and writing or reading and speaking). There is an End of Year test where students are tested on listening, reading and writing.
We are aware that students progress at different levels in the different skills and each student is encouraged to do his or her best. At the end of Key Stage 3 students are awarded their final National Curriculum Level.
Assessment
At the end of each unit (normally every half term) students are assessed on progression to attain a National Curriculum level which is monitored by the KS3 co-ordinator and HoD to ascertain their progression throughout the Key Stage.
Student self assessment is an intrinsic part of the evaluation process of all units and students should have a NCL descriptor at the front of their exercise books to check where they are and what to do next.
Rewards
Every lessons all teachers give 3 Gold slips to the best three students in the session to reward good work, good participation, good effort, etc.
Books should be marked every ¾ weeks and to reward good work we give a smiley face (or a blob). 4 of these make a credit. It could be awarded for:
- Improvement in the standard of work from the month before,
- Full marks in a test,
- Full marks in an exercise,
- Neatly set out work,
- Achieving a specific target,
- Good oral participation in a lesson,
- Good personal effort for any task (homework, classwork , assessment)
These smiley faces are recorded in the teacher’s mark book. 3 make a credit. This is entered in the pupil’s contact book and signed. 3 credits mean the pupil has a Gold slip.
All MFL subject teachers also award the ‘Star of the month’, a certificate which is specifically issued for outstanding work or progress.