Departments

Modern Foreign Languages

Bienvenue

Bienvenido

Welcome to the Modern Languages department. We are currently a department of four offering both French and Spanish at Key Stage 3 and 4. At Key Stage 3, we alternate between French and Spanish for each new year 7 intake.

At Key stage 4, we are currently a very popular optional subject. Both French and Spanish are popular choices at GCSE.

Our latest OFSTED inspection recognised that the standard of teaching within the MFL department displays some very good and some excellent features.

We boast some excellent facilities within the department, including four teaching rooms dedicated to the teaching of languages each with its own interactive whiteboard and a fully equipped ICT suite housing 32 computers with internet access. As a department we also boast a recently installed sound proof booth primarily used at Key Stage 4 for the recording of Speaking material.

The Department is currently using the Course book Métro for the teaching of French and Listos for the teaching of Spanish across both key stages. We also use a selection of CD ROM based material as well as materials from French and Spanish Speaking Television and Radio stations.

The learning of a foreign language is becoming increasingly important in the world of European diversity in which we live. As a department, we aim to provide our pupils with not only, the essential language skills needed to survive in a French or Spanish environment but also an insight into the fabulous cultures of the respective countries.

G. Suthers

Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Staff Members


Miss Gill Suthers Head of MFL Coordinator of French	Mrs Shirley Critchley Teacher of MFL	Mr Gary Lloyd Teacher of MFL

French at Key Stage 4

This is a two year course leading to a G.C.S.E qualification from the AQA examination board.

The course is split into 4 modules. These are :

The course aims to further develop the ability of pupils to use French through the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Pupils will also be given an insight into the cultures of French speaking countries.

We currently offer a trip to France in October of the the autumn term. Miss Suthers and Mr Lloyd recently took a group of pupils to Paris and more trips are planned for next year.

Competence in language and in languages has become a core and defining characteristic of a citizen. Students who continue to study a language up to G.C.S.E. level will greatly enhance their employment opportunities, particularly in areas of work within the leisure and tourism industry or within a business field. French GCSE is taught by Miss Suthers and Mr Lloyd.

French at GCSE is an exciting and popular choice.

Spanish at Key Stage 4

This is a two year course leading to a G.C.S.E. qualification for the Edexcel examination board. Assessment is through end of course G.C.S.E. examination, or 25% coursework, 75% terminal examination.

We aim to develop the ability of pupils to use Spanish effectively for purposes of practical communication which includes the four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing at two levels which are Foundation and Higher.

We also aim to give an insight into the cultures of Spanish speaking countries.

The language and tasks expected on this course will be those which a person may need when acting as a host to a Spanish-speaking person in this country or visiting a Spanish speaking country as a tourist or on an exchange visit. Spanish GCSE is taught by Mr Lloyd.

We currently offer a Trip to Spain during the February Half term of the academic year. Mr Lloyd took a group 35 pupils to the fantastic city of Barcelona in February 2006 and is planning to take another group of similar size to Seville in the wonderful Andalucía region of Spain in February of 2007.

Spanish at GCSE is an exciting and popular choice.

Trips and Exchanges

Trip to France (Paris) – October 2005
Trip to Spain (Barcelona) February 2006
Comenuis / Socrates Exchange Visits

Ruffwood School