MFL Guidelines (Modern Foreign Languages)

[multilinguelearner]

MFL Guidelines

In this forums, we are using a system in which we adapt the UK MFL KS3 Descriptors and the GCSE Grade Descriptors to level and grade the work taught here. You can ask for experienced members in a language, to set work. Work can cover ANY of these 4 areas:
1) Reading, 2) Speaking, 3) Listening, 4) Writing


I will give you the MFL Guidelines for each of the four following sections:
Note: In each language that you choose to study, you NEED to achieve a minimum of a Grade C when finally done the entire course work.

Listening - AF1

Level 1 - Grade U
Pupils show that they understand a few familiar spoken words and phrases. They understand speech spoken clearly, face to face or from a good-quality recording. They may need a lot of help, such as repetition or gesture.

Level 2 - Grade G
Pupils show that they understand a range of familiar spoken phrases. They respond to a clear model of standard language, but may need items to be repeated.

Level 3 - Grade F
Pupils show that they understand the main points from short spoken passages made up of familiar language. They identify and note personal responses. They may need short sections to be repeated.

Level 4 - Grade E
Pupils show that they understand the main points and some of the detail from spoken passages made up of familiar language in simple sentences. They may need some items to be repeated.

Level 5 - Grade D
Pupils show that they understand the main points and opinions in spoken passages made up of familiar material from various contexts, including present and past or future events. They may need some repetition.

Level 6 - Grade C
Pupils show that they understand the difference between present, past and future events in a range of spoken material that includes familiar language in less familiar contexts. They identify and note the main points and specific details. They need little repetition.

Level 7 - Grade B
Pupils show that they understand longer passages and recognise people’s points of view. The passages cover a range of material that contains some complex sentences and unfamiliar language. They understand language spoken at near normal speed, and need little repetition.

Level 8 - Grade A
Pupils show that they understand passages including some unfamiliar material and recognise attitudes and emotions. These passages include different types of spoken material from a range of sources. When listening to familiar and less familiar material, they draw inferences, and need little repetition.

Exceptional performance - Grade A*
Pupils show that they understand the gist of a range of authentic passages in familiar contexts. These passages cover a range of factual and imaginative speech, some of which expresses different points of view, issues and concerns. They summarise, report, and explain extracts, orally or in writing. An Exceptional Performance is usually that of an 8A.

Speaking - AF2

Level 1 - Grade U[/b]
Pupils say single words and short, simple phrases in response to what they see and hear. They may need considerable support from a spoken model and from visual clues. They imitate correct pronunciation with some success.

Level 2 - Grade G
Pupils answer simple questions and give basic information. They give short, simple responses to what they see and hear, and use set phrases. Their pronunciation shows an awareness of sound patterns and their meaning is clear.

Level 3 - Grade F
Pupils ask and answer simple questions and talk about their interests. They take part in brief prepared tasks, using visual or other clues to help them initiate and respond. They use short phrases to express personal responses. Although they use mainly memorised language, they occasionally substitute items of vocabulary to vary questions or statements.

Level 4 - Grade E
Pupils take part in simple conversations, supported by visual or other cues, and express their opinions. They begin to use their knowledge of grammar to adapt and substitute single words and phrases. Their pronunciation is generally accurate and they show some consistency in their intonation.

Level 5 - Grade D
Pupils give a short prepared talk that includes expressing their opinions. They take part
in short conversations, seeking and conveying information, opinions and reasons in simple terms. They refer to recent experiences or future plans, as well as everyday activities and interests. They vary their language and sometimes produce more extended responses. Although there may be some mistakes, pupils make themselves understood with little or no difficulty.

Level 6 - Grade C
Pupils give a short prepared talk, expressing opinions and answering simple questions about it. They take part in conversations, using a variety of structures and producing more detailed or extended responses. They apply their knowledge of grammar in new contexts. Although they may be hesitant at times, pupils make themselves understood with little or no difficulty and with increasing confidence.

Level 7 - Grade B
Pupils answer unprepared questions. They initiate and develop conversations and discuss matters of personal or topical interest. They improvise and paraphrase. Their pronunciation and intonation are good, and their language is usually accurate.

Level 8 - Grade A
Pupils narrate events, tell a story or relate the plot of a book or film and give their opinions. They justify their opinions and discuss facts, ideas and experiences. They use a range of vocabulary, structures and time references. They adapt language to deal with unprepared situations. They speak confidently, with good pronunciation and intonation. Their language is largely accurate, with few mistakes of any significance.

Exceptional performance - Grade A*
Pupils take part in discussions covering a range of factual and imaginative topics. They give, justify and seek personal opinions and ideas in informal and formal situations. They deal confidently with unpredictable elements in conversations, or with people who are unfamiliar. They speak fluently, with consistently accurate pronunciation, and can vary intonation. They give clear messages and make few errors. An Exceptional Performance is usually that of an 8A.

Reading - AF3

Level 1 - Grade U
Pupils recognise and read out a few familiar words and phrases presented in clear script in a familiar context. They may need visual clues.

Level 2 - Grade G
Pupils show that they understand familiar written phrases. They match sound to print by reading aloud familiar words and phrases.They use books or glossaries to find out the meanings of new words.

Level 3 - Grade F
Pupils show that they understand the main points and personal responses in short written texts in clear printed script made up of familiar language in simple sentences. They are beginning to read independently, selecting simple texts and using a bilingual dictionary or glossary to look up new words.

Level 4 - Grade E
Pupils show that they understand the main points and some of the detail in short written texts from familiar contexts. When reading on their own, as well as using a bilingual dictionary or glossary, they begin to use context to work out the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Level 5 - Grade D
Pupils show that they understand the main points and opinions in written texts from various contexts, including present, past or future events. Their independent reading includes authentic materials. They are generally confident in reading aloud, and in using reference materials.

Level 6 - Grade C
Pupils show that they understand the difference between present, past and future events in a range of texts that include familiar language in less familiar contexts. They identify and note the main points and specific details. They scan written material for stories or articles of interest and choose books or texts to read independently, at their own level. They are more confident in using context and their knowledge of grammar to work out the meaning of unfamiliar language.

Level 7 - Grade B
Pupils show that they understand longer texts and recognise people’s points of view. These texts cover a range of imaginative and factual material that contains some complex sentences and unfamiliar language. Pupils use new vocabulary and structures found in their reading to respond in speech or writing. They use reference materials when these are helpful.

Level 8 - Grade A
Pupils show that they understand texts including some unfamiliar material and recognise attitudes and emotions. These texts cover a wide variety of types of written material, including unfamiliar topics and more complex language. When reading for personal interest and for information, pupils consult a range of reference sources where appropriate.

Exceptional performance - Grade A*
Pupils show that they understand a wide range of authentic texts in familiar contexts. These texts include factual and imaginative material, some of which express different points of view, issues and concerns, and which include official and formal texts. Pupils summarise, report, and explain extracts, orally or in writing. They develop their independent reading by choosing and responding to stories, articles, books and plays, according to their interests. An Exceptional Performance is usually that of an 8A.

Writing - AF4

Following the government's decision not to proceed with the revisions to level descriptions consulted on in 2009, schools should use the level descriptions contained in the 2007 secondary curriculum handbook for end of key stage 3 statutory assessment at the end of Year 9 from 2011 until further notice (from 2010 for schools which have a compressed, two-year key stage 3). These level descriptions are set out below.

Level 1 - Grade U
Pupils write or copy simple words or symbols correctly. They label items and select appropriate words to complete short phrases or sentences.

Level 2 - Grade G
Pupils write one or two short sentences, following a model, and fill in the words on a simple form. They label items and write familiar short phrases correctly. When they write familiar words from memory, their spelling may be approximate.

Level 3 - Grade F
Pupils write a few short sentences, with support, using expressions that they have already learnt. They express personal responses. They write short phrases from memory and their spelling is readily understandable.

Level 4 - Grade E
Pupils write short texts on familiar topics, adapting language that they have already learnt. They draw largely on memorised language. They begin to use their knowledge of grammar to adapt and substitute individual words and set phrases. They begin to use dictionaries or glossaries to check words they have learnt.

Level 5 - Grade D
Pupils write short texts on a range of familiar topics, using simple sentences. They refer
to recent experiences or future plans, as well as to everyday activities. Although there may be some mistakes, the meaning can be understood with little or no difficulty. They use dictionaries or glossaries to check words they have learnt and to look up unknown words.

Level 6 - Grade C
Pupils write texts giving and seeking information and opinions. They use descriptive language and a variety of structures. They apply grammar in new contexts. Although there may be a few mistakes, the meaning is usually clear.

Level 7 - Grade B
Pupils write articles or stories of varying lengths, conveying opinions and points of view. They write about real and imaginary subjects and use an appropriate register. They link sentences
and paragraphs, structure ideas and adapt previously learnt language for their own purposes. They edit and redraft their work, using reference sources to improve their accuracy, precision and variety of expression.

Level 8 - Grade A
Pupils produce formal and informal texts in an appropriate style on familiar topics. They express and justify ideas, opinions or personal points of view and seek the views of others. They develop the content of what they have read, seen or heard. Their spelling and grammar are generally accurate. They use reference materials to extend their range of language and improve their accuracy.

Exceptional performance - Grade A*
Pupils communicate ideas accurately and in an appropriate style over a range of familiar topics, both factual and imaginative. They write coherently and accurately. An Exceptional Performance is usually that of an 8A.

Vital Additional Information:

• In each language that you choose to study, you NEED to achieve a minimum of a Grade C when finally done the entire course work.
  The Levels range from a Level 1 to a Level 8- so they go 1c, 1b, 1a, 2c, 2b to 8a. An Exceptional Performance is an 8A.
  After a long period of time- 2 months roughly; you will switch from KS3 Levels to Grades.
  It will take 1+ years to master a foreign language, therefore it is important that you get revising.
  You will RARELY be asked to perform an AF5 - Singing Assessment in a Foreign Language.