MFL

The MFL Curriculum at OLSJ enables pupils, regardless of their starting ability, to discover more about a foreign language, developing their desire and ability to communicate with and understand speakers of the assessed language in a variety of contexts and for a variety of purposes. The study of a modern foreign language will broaden horizons, develop cultural knowledge and understanding and foster transferable skills such as confidence, communication, problem solving and creativity.

Reading

Pupils learn to:

· deepen their knowledge about how language works and enrich their vocabulary for them to increase their independent use and understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts

· develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities where the language is spoken

· be encouraged to make appropriate links to other areas of the curriculum to enable bilingual and deeper learning, where the language may become a medium for constructing and applying knowledge

· develop language learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare them for further language study and use in school, higher education or in employment

· develop language strategies, including repair strategies

Writing

Pupils are empowered to:

· acquire new knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking through the ability to understand and respond to a rich range of authentic written material, adapted and abridged, as appropriate, including literary texts

· use structure and grammatical features ambitiously to give their writing cohesion and coherence

· convey precise meaning using the target language appropriately,

· use grammar correctly, punctuate and spell accurately,

· acquire and apply a wide academic and subject specific vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology in their own language and the target language.

Speaking and Listening

Pupils are encouraged to:

· develop their ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech, conveying what they want to say with increasing accuracy

· express and develop thoughts and ideas spontaneously and fluently

· listen to and understand clearly articulated, standard speech at near normal speed

· deepen their knowledge about how language works and enrich their vocabulary for them to increase their independent use and understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts

· acquire new knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking through the ability to understand and respond to a rich range of authentic spoken material, adapted and abridged, as appropriate.

· respond perceptively to questions and feedback,

A key intent is to encourage pupils to have a thirst for learning a foreign language as it is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping pupils to study and work in other countries.