Modern Foreign Languages
Why we teach Modern Foreign languages at Harris Academy Purley
At Harris Academy Purley, all students will have the experience of learning a Modern Foreign Language: either French or Spanish GCSE, from Year 7 to Year 11, with an Italian pathway for current Year 9s. We also offer French and Spanish at A Level, attracting Year 12 and Year 13 students from across our Federation.
As a Languages department, we strongly believe that it is our moral purpose, beyond the specific requirements of our curriculum, to afford all students the opportunity to learn about the language, and to celebrate the associated cultures and varying places where it is spoken, including in our school and wider community. In line with our school’s overall strategic intent, we believe that promoting success in language learning, can enable all students to develop their creativity and talents to the full, prepare our students for the world of work and further study.
Students at Harris Academy Purley will not only learn a new language, but they will learn to recognise speakers of Spanish and French outside of Spain and France and, in turn, learn about the historical circumstances in which languages have spread. In representing the true diversity of the languages, we teach their unique historical contexts, we aim to encourage curiosity and foster a well-rounded understanding of the world, as well as challenge stereotypes, prejudices, and preconceptions. We are passionate about encouraging students to become lifelong language learners and give all students the building blocks to become confident communicators.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 French, Spanish and Italian students will learn to describe themselves and others, school subjects and life, free time, sports, town and local area, holidays, media, and technology.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 French and Spanish students will learn about free time, leisure and role models, local area, celebrations and festivals, current and future study, employment and the environment and healthy living.
Key Stage 5
At Key Stage 5 Spanish students learn about family values, the role of the internet, gender equality, role models, cultural patrimony. Immigration, racism, integration, politics, monarchies and dictatorships, popular movements as well as analysing the film ‘Volver’ and the play ‘La casa de Bernada Alba. At Key stage 5 French students will learn about family values, the role of the internet, charities, cultural patrimony, music, cinema, diverse societies, marginalised groups, the criminal system, politics, unions, and immigration as well as analysing the film ‘La Haine’ and the book ‘Kiffe kiffe demain’.
Exam Boards
Students who study GCSE French will study the AQA Specification: AQA | Languages | GCSE | French
Students who study A Level French will study the AQA Specification: AQA | Languages | AS and A-level | French
Students who study GCSE Spanish will study the AQA Specification: AQA | Languages | GCSE | Spanish
Students who study A Level Spanish will study the AQA Specification: AQA | Languages | AS and A-level | Spanish
Community Languages
We love to celebrate the attributes that come with a multicultural school, including the breadth of languages spoken by our pupils. Speakers of another language at home have the opportunity to gain a qualification at either GCSE or A-Level, alongside the modern foreign language they study. This is a great way to gain a high grade and proof of their proficiency for college, university or job applications. Harris Academy Purley will provide students with examination material to assess their level and allow students to practise for the exams. Students can enter the exams from Year 10 onwards.
GCSE qualifications offered:
| Arabic | Bengali | Biblical Hebrew | Chinese (Cantonese) | Chinese (Mandarin) |
| French | German | Greek | Gujarati | Irish |
| Italian | Japanese | Modern Hebrew | Panjabi | Persian |
| Polish | Portuguese | Russian | Spanish | Turkish |
| Urdu |
A-Level qualifications offered:
| Arabic | Bengali | Biblical Hebrew | Chinese (Cantonese) | Chinese (Mandarin) |
| French | German | Greek | Gujarati | Italian |
| Japanese | Modern Hebrew | Panjabi | Persian | Polish |
| Portuguese | Russian | Spanish | Turkish | Urdu |
Clubs, Trips & Celebrations
Clubs
The MFL department runs several clubs each term. Check the E&E board for the most up-to-date clubs and activities for this term.
KS3 Spelling Bee: Monday Lunchtimes in Room 111
Y11 Speaking Revision: Wednesdays at 15:50 in room 111
MFL Film Club: Thursday Lunchtimes in Room 112
Trips
The MFL department is passionate about learning languages, and we ensure that students have opportunities to learn languages outside of the classroom. Here are a few examples of school trips we are running and have run in the last three years.
Easter Italian Trip
Forty Year 9 and Year 10 MFL students and Food Technology students will be visiting Venice to learn more about Italian food and culture.
Spanish BFI Trip
All Sixth Form Spanish students went to the British Film Institute to attend an in-depth workshop about the film ‘Volver’.
French and Spanish with the British Council
All Year 9 students attended a virtual event hosted by the British Council about Careers in Languages. The heard from several language graduates including someone from the Royal Navy, GCHQ and the British Council.
French Year 10 BFO Trip
Twenty Year 10 French students attended a virtual event hosted by the BFO about learning French through film.
Celebrations
We ensure that students have the opportunity to reflect on the importance of learning languages and celebrate the European Day of Languages yearly.
- Importance of Languages assembly
- Tutor Time quizzes
- Federation Idiom competition
- Day of Languages t-shirt competition
