In Years 7 and 8, students are taught in sets with regular monitoring and assessment to ensure progress. Students experience a variety of teaching and learning styles all aimed at increasing their confidence in another language.
In addition to varied and interesting lessons, students are encouraged to get involved with activities designed to enrich their experiences of languages at Hayesfield. We offer a range of possibilities for our younger learners:
- Language Ambassadors (aimed at promoting students own languages to help others)
- Primary school liaison (Students plan and make resources, which they take to local primary schools and teach younger students)
- Latin for beginners
- Enrichment week trips to France and Spain
- Lesson time with Foreign Language Assistants
Course Content
| Term | Year 7 Topics | Assessment Links with GCSE | Year 8 Topics | Assessment Links with GCSE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School | Writing - French only Writing a paragraph giving information | Last weekend | Reading and Writing French and Spanish Based on all topics covered in Year 7 and Term 1 Year 8 |
| 2 | Sport, hobbies and keeping fit | Reading and Writing French and Spanish Based on all topics covered so far | Festivals | Reading and Writing French only Based on all topics covered in Year 7 and Term 1 and 2 Year 8 |
| 3 | My house, home town and directions | Last weekend (again) | ||
| 4 | Plans for the weekend | Speaking and Listening French Based on all topics covered so far | Eating and drinking | Listening and Speaking French and Spanish Based on all topics covered in Year 7 and Term 1,2,3 and 4 Year 8 |
| 5 | Personal details | Speaking and Listening French and Spanish Based on all topics covered so far | Illness and injury | Listening and Speaking French only Based on all topics covered in Year 7 and Term 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Year 8 |
| 6 | A typical day | Friends |
Course Content and Assessment Overview Lower School Spanish [PDF]
Course Content and Assessment Overview Lower School French [PDF]
Subject Specific Skills
In Lower School Language lessons, students are expected to demonstrate a range of skills across listening, reading, writing and the spoken word. These skills are further learnt and developed through our enrichment opportunities.
Assessment in Lower School Languages
How we assess?
In languages, students are assessed against our speaking, listening, reading and writing specific criteria for each activity they complete. In each lesson teachers will make assessments and will provide students with verbal and/or written feedback. Students are actively encouraged to conduct self and peer-assessments regularly in addition to staff comments within lessons.
When we assess?
Formal assessments take place four times a year. Students studying two languages will have two French assessments and two Spanish assessments.
In addition to formal assessments, peer and self-assessment as well as verbal staff feedback occurs in each lesson. Students form their self-assessment against personal targets after each activity in their Flightpath Progress tracking sheet, which is followed by teacher comment.
Marking of Students Work and Feedback:
Students’ work is marked by the teacher once every 6 lessons in line with the school marking policy. Teachers will specifically indicate what work will and will not be marked in order to give our students a clear idea of what is expected from them and so they can always present their best work. Students are encouraged to self and peer-assess their work through the use of our Green and Purple pens.
Setting in Lower School Languages
In Years 7 and 8 all students are set by their KS3 National Reading levels taken in Year 6. In line with School Policy, set moves are made twice a year where necessary. This is based directly on academic performance through the formal assessments and classroom contributions throughout the year.
Homework
- The majority of homework will be practising the ‘chunks’ of language learnt in class, through writing short paragraphs, learning by rote, using online applications, such as, Flip Grid to record a short video and occasionally SAM learning
- Written and spoken homework will always be to enhance and consolidate learning that has gone on in the classroom
- Maximum intended length of homework per subject should normally be 30 mins per week in Year 7, extending to 45 minutes in Year 8
Supporting Your Daughter in Lower School Languages
There are a number of ways you can support your daughter in French and/or Spanish
- Ensure your daughter completes any homework within the deadline so they do not fall behind and can access the topics/themes studied in class time
- Make sure that your daughter is learning the vocabulary and ‘chunks’ that she is using in class
- Encourage attendance to the many and varied Period 6 LEAP activites
- Share your love of languages with your daughter
