SMSC in Modern Foreign Languages

Spiritual development in MFL concerns students wondering at the number of different and similar ways that people have developed to express themselves and ideas. Students also look at the simplicity and the complexity of these ideas and the ways in which we learn and construct our languages. 

Moral education in MFL concerns students using the vehicle of languages they have to make a personal response to right and wrong. All languages carry messages about every aspect of life including moral development and students are able to consider other peoples’ responses to moral issues. 

Social education in MFL concerns communicating for a purpose with people from other cultural and social backgrounds. The social element of language learning comes both from learning about other societies and learning together in the classroom. 

Cultural education in MFL is achieved through students valuing all languages and therefore learning to understand and respect other people. Travelling to other countries enables students to directly experience different cultures and speaking in the local language allows a greater understanding of the architecture and events taking place around them. 

Examples of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education in MFL include: 

• Looking at cultural festivals such as Christmas and seeing how these are celebrated in different countries

• Aiming to break down stereotypes and looking at the similarities as well as the differences between countries and cultures

• Researching projects on different countries and preparing presentations and leaflets to express our ideas e.g. healthy eating posters and environment projects

• Allowing students to develop an appreciation of theatre, music, art and literature by listening to French and German music and watching French and German films

• Encouraging student involvement in debates and discussions on healthy lifestyles, environmental issues, marriage/divorce, single parent families, poverty and charitable organisations

• Explicit teaching of cultural norms in different countries and discuss how these are different to our own

• Teaching the dangers in the target language of smoking, drugs, alcohol and the internet

• Engaging in 'group talk' where students practice turn-taking and respectfully agreeing and disagreeing with each other

• Students are taught to express opinions, and this is built into every unit from Year 7

• Taking part in MFL outreach programmes such as German/French Olympiad to further embed their cultural curiosity