Modern Foreign Languages

Lower School

Pupils in Year 7 study both Spanish and French. At the end of Year 7, they then choose which two languages they wish to study in Year 8; they can either continue with French and Spanish or swap one of these for German or Mandarin.

In Year 9 pupils must study at least one MFL subject, but many choose to continue with two languages.

Lessons are fast-paced and varied. They include target language conversation, authentic material from the internet, drama, games, songs, and films.
The MFL Department has invested in up-to-date online resources, enabling pupils to work independently using their 1:1 device, both in the classroom and at home.

Homework ranges from regular revision of vocabulary to written work, and pupils are taught useful strategies for memorising new words and developing their language. We encourage regular use of online dictionaries as well as vocabulary learning websites.

GCSE

As options at GCSE we offer German, Spanish, French and Mandarin (at MTGS only at present, at MTBS from 2026).
Each GCSE course covers three themes which are applied across all four areas of language skill – Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

The three themes for French, German and Spanish from September 2024 are as follows:

• Theme 1: People and lifestyle (Identity and relationships with others / Healthy living and lifestyle / Education and work)

• Theme 2: Popular culture (Free-time activities / Customs, festivals and celebrations / Celebrity culture)

• Theme 3: Communication and the world around us (Travel and tourism / Media and technology / The environment and where people live)

The three themes for Mandarin are as follows:

• Theme 1: Identity and culture (Family, friends, social and leisure activities / Technology / Customs and festivals)

• Theme 2: Local, national, international, and global areas of interest (Towns, regions / Travel and tourism / Social issues / Global issues)

• Theme 3: Current and future study and employment (My Studies / Life at school / Further education / Career choices)
Assessment is linear and the four skills are equally weighted at 25% each of the final grade. All papers must be taken in the same exam series (in the summer term of Year 11).

At Merchant Taylors’ we are fortunate to have bilingual pupils from families who speak a variety of languages at home. We encourage these students to take a GCSE in their heritage language so that their linguistic background is recognised.

A Level

The MFL department offers A-Levels in French, Spanish and German.

Building on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE, each course offers an insight into a country’s culture, its history and politics, religion, civil rights and immigration.

The A-Level course fosters a range of valuable transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research, and creativity. Pupils develop a high level of linguistic fluency which will provide them with an excellent foundation for further study.

The examination consists of three papers:

1. Aural understanding and reading comprehension, including a translation element.

2. Assessment of writing, with questions based on the book and film they have studied during the course.

3. The spoken element of the exam. This involves discussion of both an ‘Independent Research Project’ and a stimulus card based on one of the topics of study.

We are fortunate to have the linguistic and cultural input of foreign language assistants who assist in preparing pupils for their speaking test.