The Modern Languages Team:

Welcome to the Modern Foreign Languages department.  We are a strong and vibrant department, with a passion for children to succeed in  and enjoy a language. Pupils enjoy the fast-paced lessons in languages and learn to understand the importance of learning languages.  In the Barnsley MFL department, we are able to teach French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian and beginners basic Mandarin Chinese.  During curriculum time we currently offer French and Spanish in KS3 and KS4 and French, Spanish and German in KS4 (Y10-11).  Outside of the curriculum, we offer enrichment to KS3 every Monday P.6.  During this hour, Mr Jones has an MFL film club so you can experience languages outside the classroom.  If a pupil would like to learn another language during P.6, they can approach Mrs Thompson-O'Brien or Miss Glendinning who will be happy to help organise this with them.  We also offer intervention for current Y11s, 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.  The 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: Identity and culture

Theme: Local area, holiday and travel

Theme: School

Theme: Future aspirations, study and work

Theme: International and global dimension

Top website / apps to help learn Languages

• Duo Linguo – this is an app you can download on to your phone.
• Linguascope – An online website full of games to help you embed vocabulary.  (user name = Barnsley, password = bluebird)
• 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 and in German – ich liebe Deutsch.