MFL

Overview


“One language sets you in a corridor for life.  Two languages open every door along the way.” 

 Frank Smith

KS3

Welcome to the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) department at Honywood School! Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is designed to inspire a love of languages, broaden our learners' horizons, and equip them with the essential linguistic skills needed for confident communication and future GCSE success.

Here is an overview of what learners will experience in Years 7 and 8.

Our Language Offer

At Honywood, we believe in giving learners a broad linguistic foundation. Across KS3, learners will study French and German equally, receiving two lessons per fortnight in each language.

To help learners make informed decisions ahead of their GCSE guided choices, we also introduce a third language. Learners participate in Spanish taster sessions, which include a dedicated half-term module in Year 7 and a shorter, focused set of sessions in Year 8.

Core Skills and Cultural Capital

Our curriculum is rooted in robust grammar and language acquisition. By the time learners reach Year 9, they will have a strong grasp of key vocabulary and the mechanics of the present, past, and future tenses.

We focus on the complete linguist, explicitly teaching:

  • Phonics: Mastering the unique sounds of each language.

  • The Four Key Skills: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Language learning is about more than just words; it’s about understanding the world. We actively use authentic resources—from foreign media to real-world texts—to bring learning to life and build vital cultural capital, ensuring our learners appreciate the vibrant cultures behind the languages they study.

Year 7 Curriculum: Building the Foundations

In Year 7, learners are introduced to the building blocks of language, moving from talking about themselves to exploring the wider world. Topics include:

  • Phonics, Myself & Family: Establishing accurate pronunciation and learning to describe ourselves and our relationships.

  • Sports & Hobbies: Discussing free time and expressing opinions.

  • Cultural Focus: Exploring the Francophonie (the French-speaking world) in French, and learning about Towns and Geography in German.

  • School Life: Comparing the Honywood experience with schools in Europe.

  • Holidays (Future Tense): Planning trips and learning how to express future intentions.

Year 8 Curriculum: Expanding Horizons

In Year 8, we build on Year 7’s foundations, introducing more complex grammar and exploring broader societal topics. Topics include:

  • Holidays (Past Tense): Recounting past trips and mastering past tense structures.

  • Health & Fitness: Discussing healthy lifestyles and well-being.

  • Food & Drink: Exploring cultural cuisine and navigating dining out.

  • My Local Area & Home: Describing where we live in detail.

  • Language-Specific Focus: Exploring Jobs & Future Plans in French, and Shopping in German.

  • Media: Discussing television, cinema, and digital habits.

Tracking Progress

To ensure every learner is fully supported and prepared for their transition to Year 9 GCSEs, we assess progress frequently.

At the end of every half-term study period, learners complete:

  1.   A written assessment to test grammar, vocabulary, and written accuracy.

  2.   An assessment in either speaking, listening, or reading to monitor their development across the other core skills.

KS4

Welcome to the Key Stage 4 Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) department at Honywood School.

Studying a language is a vibrant and highly popular choice here, with the vast majority of our learners choosing to continue their linguistic journey at GCSE. We offer a choice of French, German, or Spanish. For those with a deep passion for languages, learners can opt to study two languages, and we are proud to support a strong cohort of 'double linguists' each year.

Our KS4 curriculum is carefully designed to prepare all learners for success with the new Edexcel GCSE 2024 specification, building not just exam readiness, but a genuine love for language learning that encourages continued study at A-Level and beyond.

The Edexcel GCSE Curriculum

Our curriculum is mapped comprehensively across the six core themes of the Edexcel specification:

  1.  Personal World

  2.  Lifestyle & Wellbeing

  3.  My Neighbourhood

  4.  Media & Technology

  5.  Studying & My Future

  6.  Travel & Tourism

The Learning Journey

We structure our topics to build confidence, vocabulary, and cultural awareness progressively across the three years of Key Stage 4:

  • Year 9: Learners dive into the GCSE course by exploring their Personal world (family and friends) and Lifestyle & wellbeing. We then move into modern cultural topics including TV, media and film, Technology, social media, and gaming, and finally, School life.

  • Year 10: The focus broadens to the wider world. Learners study Travel & tourism, Town & local area, The environment, and Customs & festivals. Dedicated time is also given to speaking exam preparation.

  • Year 11: In their final year, learners focus on Jobs and future plans. The remainder of the year is heavily focused on extensive speaking practice, mock exam preparation, and a carefully structured revision programme to ensure learners feel confident and ready.

Core Skills Development

Success at GCSE requires a strong grasp of the mechanics of language. We focus heavily on embedding robust grammar knowledge across a range of tenses and building extensive vocabulary across all topics.

Learners are explicitly taught and assessed in four key skill areas:

  • Listening: Understanding spoken language, supported by targeted practice in phonics and dictation.

  • Reading: Comprehending varied texts, developing translation skills, and building confidence in reading aloud.

  • Speaking: Communicating naturally through role plays, picture descriptions, and general conversation.

  • Writing: Mastering translation into the target language and structuring longer, extended essays.

Assessment & Feedback

We believe in regular, constructive feedback to help our learners grow. After every study period, learners complete a formal piece of writing which is marked with detailed, actionable feedback. Alongside this, learners will always complete an assessment in at least one other skill area (Reading, Listening, or Speaking).

To build exam stamina and familiarise learners with the formal testing environment, we run a formal Year 9 exam, followed by full mock exams in both Year 10 and Year 11.

Enrichment & Bringing Languages to Life

A language is best learned when it is lived. We use authentic resources in our classrooms to connect learners with the real-world culture of the countries they are studying.

To truly bring the curriculum to life, we offer fantastic enrichment opportunities outside the classroom, most notably our highly anticipated Year 10 trips to Berlin and Paris. These experiences allow learners to immerse themselves in the culture, practice their skills in authentic settings, and develop a lifelong appreciation for global communities.

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