Departments: Languages At Finham Park School, we believe that the study of a foreign language not only provides our pupils with useful skills which are fast becoming essential in a modern and highly competitive world, but it also gives them a liberating and life-enhancing experience, which adds breadth to their cultural, social and linguistic knowledge and skills. The languages department is made up of eight members of staff with all staff able to teach two foreign languages. The Department has a commitment to extending learning beyond the formal curriculum. We have links with schools in St. Etienne, Cordoba and Noyon. The link with Noyon is to be used to support our immersion programme in French Geography, which has been recognised by the TDA and has attracted the interest of the French Embassy. In Year 7, half of our pupils learn French, whilst the other half learns Spanish. French is taught throughout Key Stage 3 & 4 using the highly acclaimed Expo course. Spanish is taught using the Mira course. Echo has been introduced for Key Stage 4 German. At GCSE, the Department prepares candidates for the AQA, specification A.
AS and A2 French is taught using the AQA specification for French anchored to the Nelson Thornes course, but making extensive use of the internet and other resources for exploration of the specified topics. The examination board for German is subject to agreement with our partner secondary schools. In year 13, students take part in the city-wide exchange with St. Etienne. They stay with French families and undertake work placements in primary schools. They then host their French partners here in Coventry. The French students are then placed with local primary schools. Teaching in Years 12 & 13 involves half-day sessions and the school works to the Sixth Form timetable which is common across all Coventry schools. French and German are offered to AS and A2 level within the consortium, and are taught at Finham Park if groups sizes are viable. As part of the IB (International Baccalaureate) we also offer the B series in French and German and ab initio Spanish and French. The commitment to professional development within the Department is firm and colleagues are actively involved in developing their collective teaching skills. LEA and other local CPD opportunities are strongly supported and are discussed afterwards with colleagues. There is a determination to be open to new developments in language learning and teaching, and to be keenly aware of what is happening both in Europe generally and particularly in the countries whose languages we teach. The aim is to anticipate necessary developments in good time and to plan and implement these carefully where appropriate. Finham Park is the home of the only Confucius Classroom in the West Midlands. As part of the year 7 and 8 enrichment programme, all pupils in year 8 take a 12 week introductory course in Mandarin and Chinese culture. In year 9, there are two groups of students working towards a GCSE in Mandarin. We also offer a Sixth Form enrichment course in Mandarin. The Confucius Classroom also focuses on outreach work, providing teaching and resources for use in other local schools; at both primary and secondary level. We also take part in national events organised by the Schools Network Confucius Institute. We are fortunate to have the services of two Hanban teachers, Miss Trinity Du and Miss Cherie Liu, who are native speakers of Mandarin. Miss Du's blog can be followed on the schools' website. Below are some links to websites relating to the languages courses:
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Pupils are currently taught in mixed ability groups in Year 7, two-tier setting in Year 8 and multi-tier setting in Years 9-11. Substantial use is made of the target language in the classroom, and there is a strong emphasis on quality of relationships and on confidence building. It is expected that members of the Department will inspire pupils' confidence by their linguistic competence and lively style of teaching, but at the same time they are expected to be approachable, supportive and aware of the learning needs of pupils across the full range of ability. The aim is that pupils should quickly apply new lexical and structural content to their own lives, acquiring the skills both to interpret their particular experience in the foreign language and to be open to the experiences and culture of the foreign language community. With this in mind lessons should be lively, carefully structured, business-like and satisfying.
MFL Resources
