At Bishop Challoner we currently offer both French and Spanish and we believe that every student is entitled to experience success in language learning. By studying a Modern Foreign Language we encourage our students to think of themselves as citizens of the world as well as of the United Kingdom. We create a learning environment in the classroom that motivates and encourages students to communicate, as far as possible, in the target language, and motivate them to take on challenges and risks with their learning. We also help our students to develop their independent learning resilience and build their self-esteem by continuously providing them with opportunities to experience success.
We employ a range of teaching methods that actively engage our students in meaningful and experiential learning in order to create the best possible language learning environment at school. We endeavour to do this through careful questioning, peer-and-self-assessment and through interactive methods of teaching and learning. Real communication is the central thread to our lessons and the teaching of grammar is considered vital to develop genuine independence in the students’ ability to express themselves.
Overall, the Modern Foreign Language department hopes to develop their pupils’ all-around education and competencies needed to enter the world of work. Furthermore, the increased understanding of other cultures helps students to develop greater tolerance of the wide range of people of different race, religion and background that one encounters in our society.
In Year 7, pupils are taught the key structures and high frequency vocabulary which they will continue to develop and build upon throughout the rest of their language learning careers at Bishop Challoner. Language is taught in context where there is a strong emphasis on phonics and building confidence in pronouncing the language correctly, and revising and recycling previously learned language.
Autumn
Classroomlanguage, Top verb structures, Introducing and talking about yourself
Spring
Adjectives, Places to go in town, Countries and nationalities
Summer
Family, Describing people, Opinions
Year 8
Our current Year 8 benefited from doing a carousel of taster lessons for French, Spanish, and Italian or Latin when they were in Year 7 last year. This year, they are ensuring they are confident in the key structures and high frequency vocabulary needed for their chosen language. Language is taught in context where there is a strong emphasis on phonics and building confidence in pronouncing the language correctly, and revising and recycling previously learned language.
Autumn
Classroomlanguage, Top verb structures, Introducing and talking about yourself, Places to go in town
Spring
Adjectives, Opinions, Top useful verbs, Countries and nationalities
Summer
Family, Describing people, Free time activities
Year 9
In Year 9, our pupils expand their range of language across further topics and practise developing their spontaneity and accuracy in speaking and writing in preparation for the new GCSE.
Autumn
Where I live incorporating a range of tenses, complex structures, and idiomatic language
Our pupils’ learning is constantly assessed in class to support and stretch them with their progress.
Every term our pupils are formally assessed in the following skills:
Listening
Listen to a variety of forms of spoken language to obtain information and respond appropriately.
Transcribe words and short sentences with increasing accuracy.
Speaking
Initiate and develop conversations, coping with unfamiliar language and unexpected responses, making use of important social conventions such as formal modes of address.
Express and develop ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy and spontaneity.
Speak coherently and confidently, with increasingly accurate pronunciation and intonation.
Reading
Read and show comprehension of original and adapted materials from a range of different sources, understanding the purpose, important ideas and details, and provide an accurate English translation of short, appropriate material.
Read literary texts in the language, such as short stories, songs, poems and letters, to stimulate ideas, develop creative expression and expand understanding of the language and culture.
Writing
Write prose using an increasingly wide range of grammar and vocabulary.
Write creatively to express own ideas and opinions.
Translate short written text accurately into, and out of, the foreign language.
Extra-curricular opportunities:
We offer a range of enrichment activities whenever possible, including extra-curricular clubs and revision sessions as well as our exchange trips abroad. We are very fortunate to have an ongoing partnership with St Francois de Sales in France with whom we have been able to enjoy exchange visits for many years. Our newly forged partnership with La Salle Berrozpe in Spain is also proving to offer further valuable experiences to our pupils.