Welcome to the Modern Foreign Languages department.  In the MFL department we aim to bring a joy to language learning by providing excellent teaching and learning to ensure all learners achieve their full potential.  The curriculum is designed to not only boost the confidence of language learning and linguistic ability, but also enjoyment of reading, listening, speaking, translating and writing in another language, teaching pupils to be resilient in their efforts.  Our curriculum will build up an education of skills that pupils will be able to take and develop for life long learning and equip them with the skills they need to become a global citizen.

In the Barnsley MFL department, we are able to teach French, Portuguese, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian and beginners basic Mandarin Chinese.  During curriculum time we currently offer French and Spanish.  Outside of the curriculum, we offer enrichment to KS3 every Thursday P.6.  During this hour, Miss Milsom has an MFL film club where you can experience languages outside the classroom.  If a pupil would like to learn another language during P.6, they can approach Mrs Edge who will be happy to help organise this with them.  We also offer intervention for current Y11s Mondays and Fridays, but Y10s would be welcome to attend with parental consent. 

For all years, we have a focus on not only the grammar and vocabulary of the language, but also the culture, where we look at literature, clips, music and celebrations from countries where a particular language is spoken.  We cover 12 topics across the whole of KS3 ranging from discussing family to the environment and human rights. Although we cover a range of different topics, we recap and revise key grammar points, sentence structures and vocabulary every topic. 

The KS4  curriculum falls in to five themes, which are outlined below.

At GCSE we use Edexcel and the exams are broken down in to four different parts.  The reading, listening and writing exams are all done in the hall under exam conditions in May/June, whereas the speaking exam is conducted under exam conditions with their class teacher in April/May.

Theme 1: Identity and culture

Theme 2: Local area, holiday and travel

Theme 3: School

Theme 4: Future aspirations, study and work

Theme 5: International and global dimension

Top website / apps

• Duo Linguo – this is an app your can download on to your phone.
• BBC.co.uk/languages – bits of information and vocabulary to boost your knowledge.
• BBC bitesize – bits of grammar explanations and mini tests.
• FluentU – lots of exciting videos to help you learn.
• Babbel – another interactive website.
• You can also like different pages on Facebook that will post things to your newsfeed – for example in French – Améliorer votre français avec Lola, J’aime le français.
• YouTube has lots of people posting videos about language learning – type in French / Spanish for beginners or even specifics, such as the present tense in Spanish, how to get a grade 9 in French.
• Podcasts – There are lots of podcasts to listen to help you learn French or Spanish. See which you prefer – just search Spanish / French for beginners or Learn French/ Spanish.
• https://www.thefrenchexperiment.com/stories - French online stories you can read and hear.
• https://freekidsbooks.org/mac-dipper-side-spanish-version/ - Spanish online stories you can read.