Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

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Member of staff

Ms A. McElhill: Curriculum Lead Modern Foreign Languages
Mr F. Tene: Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages
Mrs S. Rojas: Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages 

Intent

At South Wigston High School, our inclusive MFL curriculum is designed to inspire all learners to develop a passion for languages and a deep appreciation of other cultures. Language learning is a powerful vehicle for personal growth, enabling students to build confidence, communication skills, and cultural awareness. Through MFL, learners broaden their global outlook, take intellectual risks, and reflect on the world around them.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the school’s core values of Ambition, Determination, and Respect:

• Ambition: Learners are encouraged to develop linguistic fluency and tackle authentic language with confidence.
• Determination: Learners persevere with grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, building accuracy through practice and feedback.
• Respect: Learners explore diverse cultures, value different ways of life, and communicate with empathy and understanding.

The curriculum is carefully designed to build the foundational knowledge and skills required for success in Edexcel GCSE MFL (French or Spanish), with clear progression from KS3 to KS4. It ensures that all learners, regardless of background or ability, can access and thrive in language learning. 

Implementation 

MFL is taught through a sequenced and inclusive programme of study that develops students’ skills in four key learning foci (LFs):

• LF1: Listening and responding
• LF2: Speaking with confidence and accuracy
• LF3: Reading and understanding written language
• LF4: Writing clearly and accurately in the target language

At Key Stage 3, learners:

• Engage in conversations and role plays to practise spontaneous speaking.
• Explore a range of texts and topics that reflect everyday life, culture, and identity.
• Develop a strong foundation in grammar and vocabulary to express themselves accurately.
• Take part in cultural activities and comparisons to deepen intercultural understanding.

Assessment is based on the KS3 MFL Grade Descriptors, using the four-tier model: Emerging, Advancing, Deepening, and Mastering, to track progress and provide clear, supportive feedback.

At Key Stage 4, learners follow the Edexcel GCSE MFL course, building on their KS3 foundation. They develop confidence in all four skill areas (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and learn to express personal opinions, understand authentic materials, and produce extended language independently. 

Impact

By the end of Key Stage 3, learners will have:

• Developed a secure understanding of key grammar and vocabulary in the target language.
• Gained confidence in communicating in a variety of contexts.
• Built the skills needed to interpret and produce language independently, ready for the demands of GCSE study.

Our MFL curriculum ensures that learners leave KS3 with the ambition to communicate in another language, the determination to improve through practice and resilience, and the respect to appreciate other cultures and perspectives.

At Key Stage 4, learners demonstrate increasing independence, fluency, and cultural awareness. Many choose to pursue languages further in education or as part of their career path. The curriculum prepares students not only for academic success but also equips them with transferable skills for life in a global society. 

KS3 Progress Statements

ks3 mfl progress statements 1 .pdf