Subject Overview

At Tibshelf School, we believe that learning a foreign language is an important part of a well-rounded education. Our Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) curriculum helps students become confident communicators and curious global citizens. Through their language learning journey, pupils develop skills that support both academic success and personal growth. 

Our MFL curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• Understand and respond to both spoken and written language from a range of authentic sources 

• Speak with increasing confidence and fluency, expressing themselves clearly and naturally in conversations and discussions 

• Write for different purposes and audiences, using a variety of sentence structures and grammar accurately 

• Appreciate a wide range of texts in the language they are learning, including stories, articles, and cultural content 

We build on the foundations laid at primary school, whether pupils continue with a language they’ve already studied or start a new one. Our teaching focuses on the key skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, supported by strong knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. Pupils are encouraged to communicate personal and factual information, express opinions, and develop their own ideas in both speech and writing. 

Language Pathway at Tibshelf: 

• In Year 7, students begin studying either German or Spanish 

• They continue with the same language into Year 8 

• In Year 9, pupils have the option to take their language further at GCSE level 

• Pupils who choose not to continue with a GCSE language will study French and Culture as part of their World Studies lessons 

Our language curriculum is designed to inspire a love of languages and prepare students for further study, travel, and future careers. We aim to give every child the tools to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. 

KS3 "Learning a language has helped me understand other cultures and traditions"

KS4 "MFL has boosted my confidence in general. My communication skills have improved in English and MFL and when I got through my speaking exam, I felt like I could achieve anything!"

Assessment Information - KS3

Assessments mirror GCSE style questions from Y7 so that students are really familiar with them before GCSE. Each year students complete a range of question types in all four skills Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. All lesson content and assessments follow the GCSE themes.

Assessment Information - KS4

The GCSE themes for MFL are:

Theme 1: Identity & culture

Theme 2: Local, national, international & global areas of interest

Theme 3: Current & future study & employment

 

There are 4 terminal exams in Y11 worth 25% each.

Reading F or H

Listening F or H

Speaking F or H

Writing F or H

 

Students complete mock exams in Y10 and Y11.