Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Languages

For a Curriculum Overview, please click on the Year Group below:

MFL Year 3

MFL Year 4

MFL Year 5

MFL Year 6

Liverpool College recognises the educational value of introducing Modern Foreign Languages at an early age. A language awareness programme begins at the Nursery stage. Basic courses in Spanish are taught in Nursery and Reception and French is taught in Years 1 and 2 in the Pre- Preparatory School.

In Years 3 and 4 in the Preparatory School, pupils continue to study French at a more advanced level. Spanish is introduced in Years 5 and 6, giving pupils the opportunity to further develop their linguistic skills and gain insight into a second language and culture. French and Spanish Clubs allow pupils to extend these languages further.

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One hour per week is devoted to Modern Languages lessons in Years 3 and 4 and two hours per week in Years 5 and 6. In the early stages, special emphasis is given to speaking the language through games, songs, rhymes and many other interactive activities. Listening, reading and writing skills are introduced gradually through activities appropriate to pupil development.

In Year 6, pupils have the opportunity to achieve a national qualification in Spanish, if they opt to do the Asset Languages examination http://www.assetlanguages.org.uk/ The Asset Languages Breakthrough Level examination is designed particularly for primary age children.

Why do we teach Modern Languages?

Modern Foreign Languages are essential in preparing young people to play a part in the modern world today. French and Spanish are taught at Liverpool College Preparatory School because they are important international languages. The acquisition of foreign languages allows children to gain an invaluable insight into other countries and cultures. From an early age children learn to embrace and accept cultural differences and develop the confidence to use languages other than their own. Languages also provide interest and fun.

Aims of the course

Learning a foreign language is an important part of the primary curriculum. As well as laying the foundations for future language learning, the subject aims to provide opportunities to extend pupils' knowledge of how language works and to introduce intercultural understanding at an early stage. The course aims to familiarise pupils with the language and way of life of the foreign countries studied. Knowledge of foreign traditions, customs, festivals, geography, music and gastronomy of the countries are also included throughout the course. A variety of resources, including multimedia resources, are used to immerse pupils in the foreign language and culture.

Educational Language Visits

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In Year 6, pupils take part in a foreign language visit to Barcelona, Spain. Pupils have Spanish penpals with whom they correspond through email, letters and skype during the year. The pupils then meet with their Spanish counterparts on the trip to Barcelona. The purpose of this visit is to sample the culture of the country and to practise linguistic skills. Please click here for news of the latest trip in March 2012.

Extra-curricular Language Activities

Each year, Year 4 and 5 pupils take part in the Eurotalk National Language Challenge which extends linguistic capabilities further (http://www.eurotalk.com/) and is particularly good for gifted and talented pupils.

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At lunchtime and after school, pupils also have the option of attending Modern Languages Clubs in French and Spanish. At the clubs, pupils can find out more about the languages they are learning in class or have the opportunity to learn about the culture of each country with the Foreign Language Assistants.

Pupils take part in Language Days during the year and have contact with Foreign Language Assistants during some lessons. Other forms of regular contact with the countries studied are the exchange of penfriend letters and emails and pupils very often use this as a source of information when completing language projects.

Modern Foreign Languages Master Classes take place during the summer term for gifted and talented pupils.

And finally...

The language programme at Liverpool College Preparatory School is designed to encourage enjoyment and appreciation of foreign languages and their cultures and to lay a foundation for future academic studies. The 3-18 nature of the education offered at Liverpool College is ideally suited to a comprehensive programme of language learning for all pupils.

Barcelona

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