Twitter Wall

French

Our curriculum is designed to foster proficiency in French, enabling students to embrace the richness of different languages, cultures, and perspectives. Through interactive lessons, engaging activities, and authentic resources, students will develop their language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Our curriculum goes beyond language acquisition, promoting cross-cultural competence and intercultural awareness. Students will explore the traditions, literature, and customs of French speaking countries, gaining a deeper appreciation for their cultural diversity. Our dedicated teachers and language immersion opportunities create an authentic and immersive learning experience. We strive to empower students to communicate confidently, forge connections across borders, and embrace the opportunities that multilingualism offers.

What makes a good student of Modern Foreign Languages?

Demonstrates a genuine interest and enthusiasm for learning and practicing the target language(s).
Possesses good listening comprehension skills and the ability to understand spoken language.
Shows effective communication skills in speaking and writing, demonstrating accuracy and fluency.
Exhibits a strong vocabulary base and an understanding of grammar rules and structures.
Demonstrates an openness to different cultures and perspectives, fostering intercultural awareness and sensitivity.
Shows perseverance and resilience in overcoming language challenges and actively seeking improvement.
Exhibits an eagerness to actively participate in language activities, such as conversations, role-plays, and presentations.
Displays effective language learning strategies, such as utilizing resources, practicing regularly, and seeking feedback.
Shows an ability to make connections between language learning and real-life contexts, understanding the practical applications of the language.
Demonstrates an appreciation for cultural nuances, traditions, and customs of the target language(s) and associated countries.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Curriculum Journey

Year 7 students learn about the following:

Me
My Family
My House
My Town
School
Free Time

Year 8 students learn about the following:

Family and Friends
Going Out
Media
Technology
Food and Health
Holidays

Year 9 students learn about the following:

Who am I? – Relationships with Family and Friends
Who am I? – Recent Trips Out and Role Models
Hobbies – TV & Film, music, reading, technology and its dangers
Fashion – Shopping for clothes, Special Occasions and what I wear/wore
Where I Live – Positives and Negatives of my area and my house
Holiday & Travel – What you did last year, what you will do next year

Teaching Hours: 4 hours per fortnight

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Exam Board - AQA

What is the course?

French GCSE

What will I be taught?

Many universities and institutions of further education require that students have studied a language to GCSE level. Studying French will help you understand both the spoken and written word as well as speaking and writing in the language. You will learn about the way of life in countries where French is the main language. It will be useful to you when you come into contact with French speakers at home and abroad, whether through your work or through being on holiday in a foreign country.

Which units will I study?

Theme 1: People and lifestyle
Theme 2: Popular culture
Theme 3: Communication and the world around us

What will be expected of me?

It is our recommendation that you continue to study at Key Stage 4, the language you have been developing since Year 7. You will be expected to participate orally in lessons to improve your spoken language. You should be prepared to undertake regular learning of vocabulary in order to build your language knowledge. You should be enthusiastic about learning a language and take an interest in events happening in France and other French speaking countries.

What skills will I learn?

You will practise the following skills on a regular basis:

Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing

Is there coursework in this subject?
There is no coursework for this subject. Students will sit four separate examinations at the end of Year 11.

How will I be assessed?
GCSE French has a Foundation tier (grades 1-5) and a Higher tier (grades 4-9). Students will sit four separate papers in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing at the end of the course. All papers are equally weighted and are worth 25% each. The speaking element will be carried out by your classroom teacher under examination conditions. Students will be examined on the new specification which we believe is much more accessible and offers better potential for success at GCSE.

What courses or employment can I progress to at the end of the course?
Studying a language is a life skill. Being able to speak a foreign language is considered an advantage by many employers and may open up extra opportunities for progression and travel within a job. It is also invaluable if you regularly travel abroad or are considering working abroad in the future.

Teaching Hours: 5 hours per fortnight

Enrichment and Extra-Curricular

To extend learning beyond the classroom, you should consider doing some of the following tasks:

Travelling to foreign countries and trying to practice the language in real-life situations will help build your confidence in speaking a foreign language.
Connect with pen pals or engage with safe online correspondence with students from other countries will enhance your written skills and cultural understanding.
Watch movies, TV shows or documentaries in a foreign language will help improve your listening skills, pronunciation and vocabulary.
Attend cultural events, festivals or language specific celebrations will expose you to customs, traditions and language use.
Learning and singing songs in a foreign language will help your understanding of target language, pronunciation, rhythm and cultural appreciation.

You can also extend your learning through reading. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Book title	Book author
The Last Hours in Paris	Ruth Druart
Summer in Andaluca	Lucy Coleman
A Walk in the Woods: The World's Funniest Travel Write Takes a Hike	Bill Bryson
Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List: The Places on the Planet	Lonely Planet