MFL Department - Overarching Curriculum Intent (September 2024) 

RFSS Curriculum Vision Statement: 

To build an inclusive curriculum which is aspirational for all and empowers our students to make outstanding academic and personal progress.  

MFL Curriculum in Context: 

At Rugby Free Secondary School, we recognize that the study of foreign languages is not merely an academic exercise but a gateway to becoming global citizens in a dynamic and interconnected world. The MFL department is committed to fostering a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, promoting cultural pluralism, and enhancing openness to other cultures. We believe that understanding and speaking another language breaks barriers and builds bridges between people, fostering mutual understanding and respect. 

At RFSS, we observe a pattern where EAL students tend to be the majority in the GCSE groups. This prompts us to consider the necessity for monolingual students to start understanding how languages can help them better comprehend the world and, most importantly, coexist harmoniously. Especially given that Rugby Town is a multicultural city and RFSS itself is a center with 34% of students from various nationalities. 

In today's globalized environment, where international links and intercultural connections are commonplace, proficiency in foreign languages is increasingly recognized as a critical skill. It not only enhances career opportunities by opening up diverse pathways in global markets and industries prevalent in and around Rugby, such as manufacturing, logistics, and services, but it also contributes significantly to personal growth and development. 

Our curriculum is designed to ignite students' curiosity about the world, deepening their understanding of various cultures and their own roles as participants in a global community. Through the study of languages, students develop not just linguistic skills but also enhance their problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and both literacy and numeracy skills. This comprehensive development is facilitated through a rigorous understanding of linguistic mechanisms and grammar structures, which are essential for solid knowledge acquisition. Studies show that students that take a GCSE in MFL tend to improve their grades in Enlgish Language, because they study the structure of languages deeper. 

Our curriculum also aims to equip students with the skills to understand and analyze the construction and manipulation of language, fostering a critical awareness that transcends cultural boundaries. This critical linguistic perspective is vital in today’s media-saturated world, where communication and information transfer are predominantly text-based and increasingly visual. 

In summary, the MFL curriculum at Rugby Free Secondary School is structured around the pillars of linguistic proficiency, cultural competence, and critical literacy. It prepares students not only for academic success but also for active and informed participation in a global society, where languages serve as the key to unlocking personal and professional opportunities. 

Curriculum Aims: 

Our curriculum aims to: 

1. Enhance Multicultural Understanding: 

Develop students' appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, fostering an environment of respect and inclusivity. This is critical in a school where a significant percentage of the student body comes from diverse backgrounds. Promoting one of the school values RESPECT. 

2. Encourage Global Citizenship: 

Prepare students to act as informed and empathetic global citizens who understand their roles within a globalized community. This involves teaching them to navigate and respect cultural differences effectively. 

3. Support Academic and Personal Development: 

Use language learning as a tool to improve overall academic performance, particularly for EAL students who are the majority in GCSE groups. This will help bridge any gaps and ensure equity in educational outcomes. 

4. Foster Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 

Aim: Encourage students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the study of foreign languages. This includes analysis of language structures and cultural contexts to deepen understanding and adaptability. Promoting one of the school values ENDEAVOUR and RESILIENCE. 

5. Improve Intercultural Communication Skills: 

Provide students with the abilities to communicate and collaborate effectively across diverse cultures and languages. This is particularly important in RFSS’s multicultural environment. Promoting one of the school values KINDNESS. 

6. Prepare for Professional Opportunities: 

Highlight the practical benefits of multilingualism in the workforce, particularly in industries dominant in Rugby that benefit from international communication and cooperation. SET for life. 

7. Empower Monolingual Students: 

Specifically target monolingual students to broaden their perspectives through language education, helping them to see the value of linguistic skills in a multicultural context like Rugby Town. Promoting one of the school values CURIOSITY. 

Each of these aims is designed to cater to the specific needs and demographics of the student population at Rugby Free Secondary School, ensuring that the MFL curriculum not only meets educational standards but also supports students in becoming more competent, thoughtful, and culturally aware individuals. 

We do this by: 

Integrating Cultural Learning: Incorporate cultural studies into language lessons, utilizing authentic resources such as films, literature, and guest speakers from various countries to give students a rich understanding of different cultures. 

Encouraging Real-World Application: Provide real-life communication scenarios through role-playing, simulations, and community engagement activities that require students to apply their language skills outside the classroom. 

Promoting Collaborative Learning: Create opportunities for students to work in diverse groups, encouraging collaboration and communication among EAL and monolingual students, thus enhancing peer learning and cultural exchange. 

Organizing Language and Cultural Events: Host language days, cultural festivals, and school-wide competitions that celebrate and educate about the cultures of the languages taught, involving the entire school community. With the help of the cultural ambassador 

Building Partnerships with Local and International Communities: Develop partnerships with local businesses, cultural organizations, and schools in other countries to offer students authentic experiences and practical applications of their language skills.  

These approaches are designed to make the learning experience in MFL comprehensive, inclusive, and practically beneficial, aligning with the overall educational goals of Rugby Free Secondary School and the specific needs of its diverse student body. 

Curriculum Outcome: 

Linguistic knowledge: Students will achieve extra knowledge in at least one foreign language, demonstrating the ability to communicate in different situations across all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will meet or exceed standards set by the MFL curriculum for GCSE and/or A-Level examinations. Also improving literacy skills in their own language. 

Cultural Competence: Students will display a better understanding of the cultures associated with the languages they study and people around them. Understanding the multicultural context of Rugby an RFSS. 

Global Awareness and Citizenship: Students will develop as global citizens who understand and can discuss international issues with empathy and insight. They will actively participate in school and community projects that involve multicultural elements, promoting diversity and inclusion. Cultural Ambassadors. 

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students will utilize their language skills to solve problems and make informed decisions. They will demonstrate the ability to analyze and critically evaluate information from various sources in the target language. Use of cognates an developing independence.  

Academic and Personal Growth: Students will show marked improvement in their overall academic performance and personal development. EAL and SEN students, in particular, will demonstrate enhanced English literacy skills as a result of strengthened language learning strategies. Promoting inclusion. 

Practical Application of Language Skills: Students will apply their language skills in real-world contexts, such as internships, community service, and during school-organized travel programs. They will be able to navigate situations that require intercultural communication effectively. 

Preparation for Future Opportunities: Students will be well-prepared for further education and career opportunities where multilingualism is an asset. They will understand the value of languages in a variety of professional fields and be motivated to continue language studies and cultural exploration beyond secondary education. 

Enhanced Interpersonal Skills: Through collaborative learning and language practice, students will develop strong interpersonal and social skills. They will be adept at working in diverse teams and managing communications across cultural boundaries. 

These outcomes aim to encapsulate the breadth of skills and knowledge students will acquire through the MFL curriculum. They are designed to prepare students not just for academic success but also for active and informed participation in a global society. The outcomes also support continuous assessment and refinement of teaching strategies to meet these goals effectively, ensuring that the curriculum remains responsive to student needs and educational standards