At St Catherine’s College, our Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, foster cultural understanding, and deepen students’ appreciation of the world around them. In alignment with our mission to prepare students to stand shoulder to shoulder with their peers locally, nationally, and globally, we aim to empower students to achieve their God-given potential through the study of languages.

Our MFL curriculum provides students with the tools to:

• Explore their own identity and culture, while gaining insight into the customs, traditions, and perspectives of French or Spanish-speaking countries.
• Develop essential communication skills, enabling them to express their thoughts and ideas confidently in another language.
• Cultivate problem-solving and critical thinking abilities through immersive language learning and engaging tasks.
• Build confidence, resilience, and independence, ensuring they are well-prepared to compete in a globalised world.

We offer students the opportunity to study French or Spanish. Through their studies, we aim to:

• Immerse students in the target language, promoting fluency and encouraging effective communication in a variety of contexts.
• Provide opportunities for students to solve problems and express their thoughts, enhancing their understanding of their own identity and culture, as well as those of French/Spanish-speaking countries.
• Develop confident and adaptable linguists, equipping students with the skills to apply their learning in real-world scenarios both inside and outside of school.

Our curriculum fosters:

• Engagement with authentic materials, in media, literature, and interactive resources, to enhance learning and cultural understanding.
• Participation in cultural events and visits, including overseas trips, to broaden students’ horizons and inspire a love for the language and culture.
• Curiosity and insight, encouraging students to explore the richness and diversity of the French/Spanish-speaking world while developing a global perspective.

MFL Enrichment and Real-World Connections
Our curriculum is further enhanced by:

• Immersive language experiences in the classroom, where students are surrounded by the target language to improve fluency and comprehension.
• A range of extracurricular opportunities, such as trips, cultural events, clubs and enrichment activities, to deepen their engagement with the language and culture.
• A focus on real-world communication, equipping students with practical language skills that extend beyond the classroom.

At the heart of our MFL curriculum is a commitment to helping students become confident, reflective global citizens who appreciate the value of multilingualism in today’s society. By fostering a lifelong love of language learning, we empower students to achieve their full potential and thrive in diverse and dynamic environments.

By engaging with the study of MFL, students gain:

• Confidence in communication, enabling them to interact effectively in personal, academic, and professional settings.
• Critical thinking skills, as they navigate new linguistic structures and cultural norms.
• An understanding of the global relevance of languages, opening doors to future education and career opportunities.

MFL at St Catherine’s College is about more than just learning another language; it’s about inspiring students to become inquisitive, reflective, and globally aware individuals. Through our curriculum, students develop linguistic competence as well as the confidence, resilience, and cultural understanding to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.

For full details of the Modern Foreign Languages curriculum for all year groups, please contact Mrs K Ruff, Head of Modern Foreign Languages via kruff@stcatherines.college