Languages

Welcome to the curriculum page for Modern Foreign Languages. The MFL department offers the study of German throughout years 8 to 11. From this September our Modern Languages curriculum offer will be extended to include the study of both German and Spanish in year 7. The curriculum is delivered by specialist teachers using the language immersion model wherever possible, which means that most lessons are focused on practical communication skills. Lessons are delivered in specialist rooms, supported by interactive whiteboards and a range of learning platforms.

We aim to offer foreign trips to all pupils throughout their time at West Hill and run annual trips to Berlin and Cologne. We also run regular visits to local universities to promote the uptake of languages at Key Stage 4. We place importance on the understanding on the culture of the countries and hold celebrations in school to mark the European Day of Languages, World Book Day and other significant festivals from around the world. Outside speakers are regularly invited into lessons to present their experiences about languages in the world of work. We are partnered with the Max-Beckmann Oberschule in Berlin, at Christmas and Easter we exchange class culture boxes reflecting our different and similar traditions. In 2017 we were successful in our application for the British Council International School Award, which was granted in recognition of the work we have been involved in with our partner school.

We believe that the study of any language is important; knowing a language enhances the career paths our boys choose to follow, resulting in greater opportunities for them in the future.

Curriculum

Curriculum Information - Languages

Curriculum Rationale

Updated: 29/01/2020 442 KB

Curriculum Map - KS3

Updated: 06/09/2021 202 KB

Curriculum Map - KS4

Updated: 06/09/2021 142 KB

Subject Guides for Parents

Equipment

To support your son’s learning and engagement in this subject he needs to have a German dictionary. It will also help him if he has access to headphones and a voice recording device.

Resources

To support your son there are resources are available on the school’s VLE, vle.westhillschool.co.uk. We also make use of many websites, for which an extensive list with passwords will be issued to your son.

Qualifications

In year 10 pupils follow the AQA GCSE course. This course is assessed by examinations only at the end of Year 11. The exam is based on three written papers and a speaking test. Further details are available from the examination board here: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages.

Additional Languages.

Boys with an ability to speak a language other than those offered should speak with the Head of Languages to assess if it is possible to take GCSE in that language.