MFL

Throughout Key Stage 3 your daughter will learn French, German, Mandarin, and Spanish. As well as having fun learning and speaking the language, your daughter will have plenty of opportunities to explore the culture of the countries where the target language is spoken. We aim to provide a dynamic and supportive learning environment that will produce positive and confident linguists.

Key topics and projects

In Year 7your daughter will learn French throughout the year, alongside half a year of German and half a year of Spanish. In Year 8, students choose to study two of these three languages, and all students follow a Mandarin enrichment course. In Year 9, students opt to continue with their two European languages or drop one in order to study Mandarin. Students will develop their listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills throughout Key Stage 3. By the end of Year 7 they will understand short texts. They will be able to communicate information and opinion orally and in written form on a range of topics. In Year 8 students will be able to communicate in two tenses in written work and they will start to develop their ideas in the target language. They will have a broader understanding of basic vocabulary and language structures and will respond to longer texts. In Year 9 students will be writing logical and coherent pieces in the target language, including the use of three different tenses. They will be reading authentic texts and they will be developing the ability to interact with a degree of spontaneity in oral work.

RHS Learner Qualities

Students will develop their collaborative skills in the foreign language; they will be able to communicate extended responses and opinions, discuss with their peers and they will have the opportunity to present in the target language. Key Stage 3 students will enjoy many opportunities to be creative in their learning, not only in terms of language, but also in terms of culture. They will be chefs, designers, singers, and artists! They will also use their IT skills in our Sanako language suite to be creative and inquisitive in their learning. We encourage students to be brave in their approach to challenge, for example, they will have the opportunity to take part in speaking competitions and our favourite… the MFL karaoke competition! Students will use the target language in different situations: in pairs, in groups and presenting to the class.

Co-curricular

In Key Stage 3, students will have many opportunities to explore language and culture outside of the classroom. There is MFL Lunch club where language is explored through song and film, and students find out about the culture (and food!) of different countries. There are competitions to take part in, including the MFL karaoke competition and the South West MFL Speaking Competition.

‘Visiting theatre companies perform in the target language, and international cookery is always a highlight!’

YEAR 7 FRENCH

GERMAN

Describing myself and others Introductions and numbers Describing my school Describing myself Free time activities, use of technology Describing my family House and Home

SPANISH

Describing myself and others Talking about my free time Describing my school

YEAR 8 FRENCH GERMAN SPANISH

MANDARIN

Media Talking about my free time School subjects and activities Introduction to China and Chinese culture Describing an outing School subjects and activities My family and home Numbers, days of the week, months and greetings

Talking about music, style and personality Town and region Town and region Family

Colours

Animals

YEAR 9 FRENCH

GERMAN

Health and Lifestyle Holidays Jobs and future plans Media Holidays Food and drink Health and fitness

SPANISH

Holidays Media

MANDARIN

Countries and Languages Jobs and work places Food and eating out Transport Clothes and daily routine Time and daily routine