The MFL department strongly believes that MFL has a key place in the curriculum at all key stages. At Malet Lambert we create a thirst and love of learning through our knowledge of how languages work. Language learning equips pupils with essential life and employability skills. We live in an increasingly global environment and employers around the world thrive from applications they receive from linguists alike. Language learning also embeds the necessary literacy skills needed across a range of subjects. The study of a modern foreign language also enhances the grammatical knowledge of your own language, improved resilience, listening skills and communication which are valuable life skills. Pupils will find themselves able to communicate, be creative, explore new cultures and reflect on their own progress throughout their language learning experience.
Facilities
We have seven dedicated language classrooms, which all have interactive whiteboards. In addition to this, we have video conferencing facilities in one room, which allows us to bring the real world into lessons and create meaningful language learning experiences for our pupils. We have 32 laptops for pupil use across the department, giving pupils access to a range of media based resources. Pupils also have unlimited access to the online software programme Vocab Express as part of their weekly homework. Pupils can access this at any time to improve their knowledge of topic vocabulary and language learning experience.
Courses
Pupils study French or Spanish from Year 7 (language assigned by school) until the end of Year 9. Depending on their assigned pathway, pupils will either continue to study this language at KS4 as part of their core curriculum and take their GCSE at the end of Year 11 or they can choose to do GCSE MFL as one of their option choices. Courses at both KS3 and KS4 focus on all four skills areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing and encourage pupils to communicate and use language for real purposes.
We have 9 qualified linguists (French and Spanish specialists) to enrich our curriculum and provide stimulating learning experiences for all pupils.
Extra Curricular
We run the Language Leaders Programme for pupils in Year 9, giving them the chance to combine their language skills with enterprising qualities and share their expertise with local primary school pupils.
We currently offer a trip to Normandy, in the North of France. This residential visit includes accommodation, cheese making, a visit to a French market, food tasting and that all important practice of the French language.
We also offer a trip to Madrid, the capital of Spain. This residential visit includes accommodation, a tour of the football stadium, shopping experience, food tasting, a flamenco show and a visit to the famous food market, Mercado de San Miguel. We also encourage as much as possible the use of the language whilst pupils are on the visit.