MFL

Subject intent

The mission for languages at HSAEL is for them to become a leader in whatever they choose to do. Languages form a central part of the knowledge and skills our students need to have global impact.

Subject links to HSAEL values

Studying MFL will help students to be leaders in their chosen field because...

It takes students out of their comfort zone (and show growth) by giving them the confidence and skills to communicate in a foreign language.

It helps students tackle social injustice (and demonstrate responsibility) by providing them with a route to developing a skill that will make them more employable, live longer and exert more influence than their monolingual peers.

It helps promote ambition by giving them opportunities to secure qualifications in a subject that is in terminal decline in the UK and that is highly sought after in the world of work.

It celebrates diversity (compassion) by exposing them to another culture, encouraging them to travel and explore a group of countries within a short travelling distance.

It helps students develop independence (excellence) by mastering the mechanics of the language that will enable them to decode, spot patterns and explore challenging texts.

This subject is particularly important at HSAEL because national uptake for languages is in decline, and this is especially true for subjects such as French and German in areas of high deprivation. Places at the best universities for MFL are often the reserve of more advantaged students because their schools have offered a strong MFL provision. For our students to stand shoulder to shoulder with these students in later life, they need to have the opportunity to study MFL at university and beyond.

Endpoint

Russell Group University – MML at university of Cambridge. Students must be proficient users of MFL, but also have an interest and passion in art, literature, film, music and politics. Examples of the types of texts/ topics to be studied can be found here:https://www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/ge1 and here: FR1: Introduction to French literature, film and thought | Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics (cam.ac.uk).

French

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Year 7 Cultural Component : Impressionist Art Street Art	My Personal World All about me and people around me	My Personal World All about me and people around me	My School Subjects and My School Life	My School Subjects and My School Life	My Free time : Sports and Media	My Free time : Sports and Media
Year 8 Cultural Component : Le Monde Francophone (French speaking counties (29) around the world)	My Neighbourhood and Around Town	My Neighbourhood and Around Town	My Holiday Activities and Holiday Memories	My Holiday Activities and Holiday Memories	My Life at Home and Hobbies	My Life at Home and Hobbies
Year 9 Cultural Component : Film Study : Le Petit Nicolas	My Personal World and My Personal Relationships	My Personal World and My Personal Relationships	My Lifestyle, the Influence of Media and Healthy Mind, Healthy Body	My Lifestyle, the Influence of Media and Healthy Mind, Healthy Body	Let's Look After the Planet	Being a Responsible Citizen   Film Study : Le Petit Nicolas
Year 10	Media and technology	Media and technology/My personal world	My Personal World and My Personal Relationships	My Studies and My future plans	My future plans	A healthy lifestyle and wellbeing
Year 11	My Neighbourhood and Going on holiday	My future plans (jobs and ambitions)	Class specific revision, based on QLA data and individual strengths and areas for development - Theme 1 : Identity and culture - Theme 2 : Local, national, international and global areas of interest - Theme 3 : Current and future study and employment GCSE Exams
Year 12	Bridging unit: Intense grammar focus Bridging unit: Technology in the modern world	Social issues: The changing nature of family (La famille en voie de changement), The 'cyber-society' (La « cyber-société »), The place of voluntary work (Le rôle du bénévolat)	Artistic culture in the French-speaking world:	Current Social Issue Trends : Begin Independent Research Project Film: La Haine	Class specific revision, based on QLA data and individual strengths and areas for development
Year 13	Book Focus : Kiffe Kiffe Demain Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world		Class specific revision, based on QLA data and individual strengths and areas for development

 

German

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Year 10	My Personal World and My Personal Relationships	Media and technology	My Lifestyle, and Healthy Mind, Healthy Body	My Neighbourhood and Around Town	Being a Responsible Citizen	Class specific revision, based on QLA data and individual strengths and areas for development
Year 11	Global issues, Being a Responsible Citizen	Class specific revision, based on QLA data and individual strengths and areas for development - Theme 1 : Identity and culture - Theme 2 : Local, national, international and global areas of interest - Theme 3 : Current and future study and employment GCSE Exams

For GCSE for current Year 11 students, MFL follows the AQA exam board. See the specification here French and German. For GCSE for current Year 10 students, MFL follows the Edexcel exam board. See here for French and German.

For A-Level, MFL follows the AQA exam board. See the specification here for French.

How does the study of French link to future careers?

Proficiency in French can significantly boost your career prospects, as it's a valuable asset in fields like business, government agencies such as those dealing with diplomacy, finance, marketing, tourism, and education. Additionally, mastery of a MFL significantly enhances employability and lead to higher salaries. Employers often seek candidates who can communicate in multiple languages, as this skill is crucial for client relations. Bilingual or multilingual employees are highly valued, often securing roles more easily and commanding higher wages due to their ability to bridge communication gaps and foster international partnerships.

Moreover, mastering a second language improves cognitive abilities, enhances problem-solving skills, and provides a competitive edge in the global job market. Whether you are studying English, Maths, History, English or any other specialty, pursuing French will positively impact your educational journey For example, students who know more than one language performed two to three times better on exams compared with students who knew only one language, according to a study at New York Univeristy” (Tracy Bower, PhD, Forbes Magazine).

Students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of extra-curricular MFL activities at HSAEL including :

• 2024-25 Trip to France
• French Club
• Pen-pal letters with French students at another Harris Federation School.
• CED opportunities
• Impressionist Art Project