Modern Foreign Languages

Head of Department: Katie Jones

Members of Department:

• David De Sousa (Deputy Head of Department)
• Petra Antonio
• Maxine Louca
• Shameem Pavel
• Lucy Ross
• Nerys Reeves
• Sophie Hope

Bengali Assistant: Santha Khan

Spanish Assistant: Silvia Lapides

The Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department consists of eight members of teaching staff, and three foreign language assistants.  French or Spanish is taught to all Year 7 pupils for 2 sessions a week.  Those pupils who are very keen on languages may choose to study both French and Spanish in Year 8, and Bengali is also an option for Year 8 pupils.

The department occupies 6 rooms, 5 classrooms and one work room which is suitable for conversation classes with the language assistant.  Additionally, one of the classrooms is equipped with 30 network computer stations.  Each full-time teacher has their own classroom base, equipped with interactive screen.

• The MFL curriculum at Morpeth presents students with a positive rationale for learning a language, which includes learning from authentic resources.  We want our students to be engaged in their learning, through topics which are relevant to their lives and give them a taste of the target language culture.  We wish to dispel stereotypes and show the many benefits of being able to speak other languages.
• We provide the opportunity for all students to access and engage with their learning and gain the basic skills and confidence in order to express themselves confidently and fluently in a foreign language.  Teaching in the MFL department provides opportunities for students to develop transferable skills in literacy and oracy, which can be applied across the curriculum.  These skills include the ability to spot patterns, understand the grammar and structure of language as well as communicating accurately.  We aim to show how language learning fits in to a broader curriculum, how it can support learning in other subjects, as well as fostering an inherent interest in language learning for its own sake.
• An accumulation of grammatical structures and vocabulary, presented in a logical sequence allows students to develop the skills required to be able to express themselves in spoken and written language, in contexts which are relevant to them, as well as a basis for GCSE, and learn strategies for understanding spoken and written languages.  Students are challenged to manipulate language, drawing on prior learning, to be able to express themselves in new and different contexts.  Students receive feedback in a variety of ways which address misconceptions and errors, allowing them to progress with more confidence.  Grammatical concepts are regularly interleaved in relevant and logical sequences.
• The curriculum at KS3 will form a solid basis for language learning at KS4, whereby we aim to develop language through complexity of language and ideas, rather than a duplication of their learning at KS3.  At KS5, A level French students expand their cultural and sociological knowledge to have a deep understanding of the Francophone world, They become more independent in their learning, by choosing an area of personal interest for their Independent Research Project.