Modern Foreign Languages

“Languages aren’t just about words – they open your mind and expand your vision more than you’d ever expect! Languages have made me but they have also saved me.”Year 11 Student of French and Spanish at NWHS

 

“Les dictionnaires sont les plus belles agences de voyage au monde.

Dictionaries are the most beautiful travel agents in the world”Bernard Pivot

The Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at NWHS is engaging, relevant and challenging for students of all abilities. Throughout their time here, students develop the ability and confidence to communicate in the language they are studying about subjects which are relevant and interesting to them. Additionally, our lessons promote cultural engagement and broaden students’ horizons. This enables them to step beyond familiar cultural boundaries and better understand links between the foreign languages they study and English, encouraging a curiosity which will be useful in many other areas of their school life.

From the beginning of year 7 we give all students, no matter their starting point or previous language learning experiences, the opportunity to express themselves and learn new skills. Our carefully planned Year 7 Scheme of Learning purposefully does not begin with the basics, as some students may have learned these in Primary school. This way all students feel sufficiently challenged from the beginning. Our rewarding and challenging curriculum equips students for continued study, encouraging lifelong language learning and confidence beyond specific languages. We continually boost students’ confidence and understanding of the key skills that will be useful for them in the wider world of work so they leave school as globally aware citizens of the world.

As a department we are passionate about language learning, travel and exploring foreign cultures. Many of us have personal links to France and Spain and we endeavour to pass this love of languages and appreciation for other cultures on to our students using many varied and skilled approaches. MFL lessons are challenging at all levels, and we provide regular opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding and improve their self-esteem. Teachers are highly skilled in creating and adapting teaching resources to suit the needs of all students in their classes, making the learning experience suitably engaging, supportive and challenging. Students develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills across a range of topics through increasing exposure to phonics, vocabulary and grammar. The languages team regularly makes use of various physical and virtual resources (including online subscriptions to This is Language, Language Gym and Linguascope) both in lessons and for homework.

In addition, we are very proud to provide a range of opportunities and extracurricular experiences within the MFL department, with various trips abroad as well as experiences in school and locally. For example: The Language Leader Award programme, visits to WSFC and university masterclasses, letter exchanges and film clubs.

Many students opt for a language as one of their GCSE options at Key Stage 4 and outcomes are consistently above national average in French and Spanish. Nevertheless, students who do not follow a GCSE language course leave Key Stage 3 with a wealth of knowledge and confidence in whichever languages they have studied. Many students who speak additional languages at home are entered for GCSE, all arranged through the MFL department.

Staffing Structure
Curriculum Leader: Mrs L Kendrick
Email: l.kendrick@nunnerywood.worcs.sch.uk
Phone: 01905 363682

Team Structure
Curriculum Leader
Assistant Curriculum Leader
2 full-time member of staff
4 part-time members of staff2 native speaking language assistants (French and Spanish)

Curriculum Facilities
The MFL department is comprised of our own suite of five well-equipped classrooms with a central departmental office and a break out room which is used for small group work and conversation practice. Each classroom has an interactive screen in order to facilitate interactive learning and teaching. We are also supported by up-to-date resources for KS3 and GCSE courses. Both staff and students have ready access to online language learning websites that are used to enhance the teaching and learning of MFL in school and at home. Finally, we are very lucky to have two dedicated bilingual teaching assistants (for Spanish and French) who completes small group activities both in and out of the classroom.