Modern Foreign Languages at Kirkburton Middle School
At KMS we aim to make the learning of languages an interesting and varied experience. We aim to create over the three years pupils are with us, a growing independence in learning a language, recognition and an understanding of the importance of other cultures in our modern world and the ability to transfer the skill of learning one language to the learning of others.
All classrooms have Interactive Whiteboards which are put to full use in the MFL classroom. Alongside the possibility of using authentic materials from the web such as French Estate Agents sites and clips showing sports from French speaking nations in Africa which enhance the cultural understanding of the pupils, we also present and practise key skills and grammar through interactive presentations and games.
The need to guide pupils to become more independent in their learning has led us to subscribe to a number of programs which can be accessed by pupils from home. Some of these allow pupils to transfer the language skills acquired in French lessons at school to the initial stages of learning other languages. All pupils have login access to these specialist sites. In addition, we encourage the purchase of a subscription to Mary Glasgow Magazines (hyperlinks – please see homework links below) which offer traditional magazine based text and activities alongside web-based activities. The magazines are colourful, modern and aimed at the interests of young language learners. Magazines are available at all levels and your child’s French teacher is always willing to guide you towards the relevant magazine. Exemplar inspection copies can be requested from school. Spanish and German magazines can also be ordered.
The department offers a one week residential to France for pupils in year 7 in the Spring Term each year. The trip, at present with the company Chateau Beaumont, is based on cultural understanding and language acquisition. Pupils have an excellent learning experience and language skills are boosted in a ‘real’ situation. Visits are made to Mont St Michel, the Chateau de Fougères, a goat’s cheese farm, the Refuge de l’Arche and the local market at Laval. Pupils produce a scrapbook about their trip and examples of paired independent writing are posted onto the school website, by the children, in the term following their return.
Homework Links:
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
