Modern Foreign Languages

We make use of the technology available to bring learning of languages to life, and lessons are active and engaging.

The Modern Foreign Languages Department aims to engage, challenge and encourage all students to develop a simultaneous passion for the linguistic language and an active interest in the cultural world where this language is spoken. We give students a significant insight into different communities, lifestyles and cultural diversities around the globe.  This supports students to be inclusive and have a significant understanding of the diversity of the school community. It also provides the opportunity to explore the wider world.  We investigate spoken and written language, and take a wider view into Francophone and Latino Hispanic culture such as art, politics, environment and literature. Students will actively reflect upon and understand some of the effects of colonisation through their learning. Our resources are diverse and inclusive of gender, race and sexuality and aim to represent all members of the community, so our feel they belong in our classrooms.

From the start of our courses, the pedagogy helps students establish a robust knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and the sound and spelling systems (phonics). The pedagogy then reinforces this knowledge via planned practice in meaningful activities.  Our aim is to embed phonics, focus on vocabulary learning, retention and recall, and teach grammar in a sustained way for a long time so our learners are confident and successful.

Our overarching hope for all our students is that through the study of MFL students will have a fully enriched study of language and the tools to feel confident, independent and resilient. Our learners will be prepared to confront racism and xenophobia and promote open-mindedness through the love of their language studies. Students develop knowledge that they will strengthen through the studies of an engaging and relevant curriculum, fit for life at school and beyond.

The Modern Foreign Languages department at Highgate Wood School teaches French and Spanish, from Year 7 (beginners) through to A level. We also aim to teach about the culture of the country as well as its language, and thus have set up several pen-pal schemes with students from France or Spain.

For the 2026 academic year, the KS4 curriculum map will change. These changes are outlined in the following document:
Curriculum MAP for GCSE 2026 Modern Languages (KS4)

AQA GCSE Languages is all about making languages work for you, and making it fun and relevant at the same time. Students will be given all the tools you need to develop your French or Spanish (grammar, skills and vocabulary) and plenty of interesting topics so that you can talk about the things that really matter to you.

All skills are assessed at the end of year 11 in exam conditions:

  • Listening: Foundation Tier 40 marks; 35 minutes (including 5 minutes’ reading time)- Higher Tier 50 marks; 45 minutes (including 5 minutes’ reading time)
  • Reading: Foundation Tier 60 marks; 45 minutes- Higher Tier 60 marks; 1 hour
  • In Speaking, you will be expected to speak between 7-9 minutes at Foundation and 10 to 12 minutes in Higher. There are three parts of the exam;
  • Role play (15 marks) Photo card (15 marks) General conversation ( 30 marks)
  • In Writing, in Foundation you will complete a one hour paper and in Higher Tier, you will complete a one hour and 15 minutes paper. All instructions are in English. All questions are in French. Students are required to write in French.

Modern Foreign Language A Levels are highly valued by universities and employers and may lead to overseas work and travel. Many university courses are available that combine the study of a foreign language with another subject entirely, for example French/Spanish with Law or French/Spanish with Engineering.  A Level students will have the opportunity to be involved in a whole range of enrichment activities, including hopefully an organised trip to Spain/French, which will benefit not only their mastery of the language but will also broaden their horizons.

Our courses in Modern Foreign Languages feature familiar and popular themes as well as some new content that provides clear links to some of the most fundamental and interesting aspects of the culture of the target language country and communities. Our courses build on the understanding developed at Key Stage 4 and gives students the opportunity to learn and apply important transferable skills in critical thinking and analysis, enabling them to make a smooth transition to the next level of study.

Key Stage 3

The Modern Foreign Languages department at Highgate Wood School teaches French and Spanish, from Year 7 (beginners) through to A level. We also aim to teach about the culture of the country as well as its language, and thus have set up several pen-pal schemes with students from France or Spain.

For the 2026 academic year, the KS4 curriculum map will change. These changes are outlined in the following document:
Curriculum MAP for GCSE 2026 Modern Languages (KS4)

Key Stage 4

AQA GCSE Languages is all about making languages work for you, and making it fun and relevant at the same time. Students will be given all the tools you need to develop your French or Spanish (grammar, skills and vocabulary) and plenty of interesting topics so that you can talk about the things that really matter to you.

All skills are assessed at the end of year 11 in exam conditions:

  • Listening: Foundation Tier 40 marks; 35 minutes (including 5 minutes’ reading time)- Higher Tier 50 marks; 45 minutes (including 5 minutes’ reading time)
  • Reading: Foundation Tier 60 marks; 45 minutes- Higher Tier 60 marks; 1 hour
  • In Speaking, you will be expected to speak between 7-9 minutes at Foundation and 10 to 12 minutes in Higher. There are three parts of the exam;
  • Role play (15 marks) Photo card (15 marks) General conversation ( 30 marks)
  • In Writing, in Foundation you will complete a one hour paper and in Higher Tier, you will complete a one hour and 15 minutes paper. All instructions are in English. All questions are in French. Students are required to write in French.
Key Stage 5

Modern Foreign Language A Levels are highly valued by universities and employers and may lead to overseas work and travel. Many university courses are available that combine the study of a foreign language with another subject entirely, for example French/Spanish with Law or French/Spanish with Engineering.  A Level students will have the opportunity to be involved in a whole range of enrichment activities, including hopefully an organised trip to Spain/French, which will benefit not only their mastery of the language but will also broaden their horizons.

Our courses in Modern Foreign Languages feature familiar and popular themes as well as some new content that provides clear links to some of the most fundamental and interesting aspects of the culture of the target language country and communities. Our courses build on the understanding developed at Key Stage 4 and gives students the opportunity to learn and apply important transferable skills in critical thinking and analysis, enabling them to make a smooth transition to the next level of study.

Additional Information

Those students who wish to take public examinations in a community language or in a language which he/she is not taught in at school, are encouraged to do so. The following links contain more info on this:

All the teachers in the department are enthusiastic about the languages which they teach, and try to instil this enthusiasm in their students.  When time permits, trips and exchanges abroad are also organised. Pupils are encourage to practice the language which they are learning outside of the classroom and to use recommended websites to enhance their learning.