Why is the study of Languages important?
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.” Flora Lewis.
Learning a language opens a world of new possibilities and opportunities. Through Languages, we promote students’ curiosity, problem solving and deepen their understanding, not only of other countries but also of their own identity and culture. It prompts them to question what is “normal” and provides them with the ability to embrace the fact that the world is a rich and diverse place filled with different customs, perspectives, history, arts, literature and ways of communicating. In addition, the study of another language builds students’ communication and literacy skills and prepares them for a globalised world of work.
Whilst studying a language at Sirius Academy you will find out how young people’s lives are different in the target language countries, not just France, Germany and Spain. In lessons, there will be a variety of tasks for you to practise your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. The key to language learning is understanding and communication. At Sirius Academy, language lessons will provide you with the tools and skills to do this, through fun and engaging activities to help you learn, recall and apply vocabulary and grammar. When learning Languages you will be encouraged to think deeply, use logic, reasoning and problem solving skills, all skills that universities and employers are looking for.
What will the study of Languages teach you?
As global citizens, students need to be able to communicate effectively with people from other backgrounds and cultures. You will explore a wide range of topics that will add to your understanding of the language and the culture. In order to facilitate this in Languages we will teach you to:
- Develop resilience and self-determination
- Develop the ability to work outside what is comfortable and familiar.
- Develop your recall skills
- Learn to express opinions and thoughts in a clear, accurate and organised way
- Show an understanding of spoken and written word, identifying key points
- Understand how language works and enrich your vocabulary in order to become more independent and understand language in a range of contexts
- Develop language-learning skills both for use now and to prepare you for further language study and use in education, employment or for exploring the world
How does the study of Languages support your study in other subjects?
Throughout your language learning experience at Sirius Academy you will use and develop skills and knowledge from a wide range of other subjects from developing literacy skills, or studying film, literature and music to discovering the festivals and customs in the target language. At KS4 and KS5 students discuss global and social issues. Problem solving, thinking skills, expressing opinions and developing arguments are skills that are integral to language learning and can be applied to all other subjects.
Key assessment objectives
At Sirius Academy students are assessed throughout each year, using the assessment objectives below. The assessments ensure that you can continually build your subject knowledge and understanding in preparation for GCSE and A-Level courses or for use outside of education when travelling or working abroad. Students are assessed periodically, their progress and attainment mapped to determine if they are on track to reach their targets at the end of each key stage. These targets are set from KS2 outcomes and are aspirational to encourage students to achieve the best possible outcomes for their ability.
- Listening and understanding in the target language
- Speaking in the target language
- Reading and understanding in the target language
- Writing in the target language
How can the study of Languages support you in the future?
We hope that students would wish to continue their language studies to GCSE or A-Level and then on to University, where Languages can be studied as stand-alone subjects or alongside a wide range of others including Law, Politics, Science, History and English. Whether or not students decide to continue to study Languages they will have gained many transferable skills and been encouraged to look at and examine the world beyond their own and understand their culture and language better too.
Overview of the KS3 and KS4 courses for French, German and Spanish
Scroll right / left on the table below to view all years.
Modern Foreign Languages (French)
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
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HT1 |
Introductions (Part 1)
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Media
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Social Media
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Who am I?
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Work
|
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HT2
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Introductions (Part 2)
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Where I live
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Fit and Healthy
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Free Time
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Global Issues
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HT3 |
School
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Paris
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My future
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Daily life and celebrations
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Exam skills
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|
HT4 |
My spare time
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My identity
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Holidays
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My town
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Exam Preparation
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HT5 |
My Town
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Talent Show!
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The World and Me
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My ideal holiday
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External examinations |
|
HT6 |
Holidays
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France Culture
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Francophone Culture
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School
|
|
Modern Foreign Languages (German)
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|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
HT1 |
Introductions
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Ich liebe Ferien
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Mein Vorbild
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Schule
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Work and employment
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HT2
|
Introductions (Part 2)
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Medien
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Musik
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Free time
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The world around us
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|
HT3 |
Freizeit
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Food
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Meine Ambitionen
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Relationships
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Exam skills
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HT4
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School
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Healthy eating
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Meine Kindheit
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At Home
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Exam Preparation
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HT5 |
Schule
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Auf Klassenfahrt
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Developing writing skills
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City tours
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External examinations |
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HT6 |
In der Stadt
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Auf Klassenfahrt 2
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Rechte und Pflichten
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Holiday
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Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish)
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|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
Year 11 |
|
HT1 |
Introductions
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Holidays
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Things I like
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Theme: Local area, holiday and travel.
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Theme: Future aspirations study and work.
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HT2
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Free Time
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My Life
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Things I like
Work
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Theme: School.
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Theme: International and global dimension.
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HT3 |
Free Time
School
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Food
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Healthy Lifestyle
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Theme: Identity and Culture.
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Revision and exam style practice which will include listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation on all of the themes taught. |
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HT4 |
School
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Food
Arranging to go out
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An adventure in Madrid
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Theme: Identity and Culture.
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Revision and exam style practice which will include listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation on all of the themes taught. |
|
HT5 |
Family and friends
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Arranging to go out
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An adventure in Madrid
Young people
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Theme: Local area, holiday and travel; Identity and Culture.
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Revision and exam style practice which will include listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation on all of the themes taught. |
|
HT6 |
My Town
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Summer
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Young people
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Theme: Identity and Culture
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Revision and exam style practice which will include listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation on all of the themes taught. |
View MFL Curriculum Objectives