A new approach to KS3

In July 2007 The Harwich School decided to begin a thorough review of the MFL provision at KS3. The outcome of this was that major changes needed to take place to fully recognise the extent of language learning taking place in KS2. The situation was challenging because Year 7 pupils when they went to Harwich began to study either French or German. The majority of the feeder schools were teaching French. They had a scenario where a significant number of pupils were coming up to Harwich and continuing with their first language, mostly French but in some cases German and a large number were beginning a new language.

They needed to ensure that what they did supported those pupils that were beginning a new language, while also maintaining the interest and progression of those who were continuing a language from primary school. They also had to take into account that although the primary schools were being supported in the delivery of MFL, by the Language College, around that support they were relying on the primary teachers.

They decided to build on some of the key elements of MFL teaching that had engaged the pupils at primary school. One important factor was that the language teaching was firmly rooted in a context, be that a book, a film or another area/s of the curriculum. Pupils would be more readily engaged at the secondary school if we also took this approach, rather than being led by a textbook. Also wanted to try and focus on outcomes that were not only a formal assessment at the end of a unit. In the primary school there was a lot of celebration of what they had learnt through maybe a performance, for example, or finally sitting down and reading the book together. Read more about the project (doc, 68KB)

Here are some examples of SoW as well as resources prepared during this project in French and German using 'The diary of a young girl' book by Anne Frank.

Anne Frank book - French
Annexe (ppt, 1,14MB)
Discovery and arrest (ppt, 629KB)
Anne Frank worksheet (doc, 33KB)
SoW Chapter 4 (doc, 62KB)
Vocabulary (doc, 60KB)

Anne Frank book - German
Das Hinterhaus (ppt, 1,17MB)
Anne Frank worksheet (doc, 26KB)
'My friends' activity (ppt, 149KB)
SoW Chapter 4 (doc, 61KB)
Otto Frank 'which language' activity (ppt, 209KB)

Harry Potter book - French
SoW Chapter 4 (doc, 52KB)
SoW Chapter 5 (doc, 51KB)
Lets compare activity (doc, 280KB)

Harry Potter book - German
SoW Chapter 3 (doc, 56KB)
Quidditch game vocabulary (doc, 913KB)
Quidditch or Football vocabulary (doc, 3,57MB)