French

Foundation Years

French is studied alongside Spanish in Years 7 and 8 and it builds up the foundations needed to progress in the language to GCSE level. Throughout the two years, pupils follow a stimulating course involving speaking, listening, reading and writing activities and, very importantly, developing cultural knowledge of France and other French speaking countries.

Year 9 provides an opportunity to gain an overview of the 12 themes assessed by the exam board at GCSE level. Students will learn the skills needed for the exams in Year 11, as well as studying the foundation content of the specification. Students will need to produce extended written and spoken language pieces, as well as understanding long reading and listening passages, based on the basic language introduced for each topic.

At the same time, they will have to translate long, simple texts into French/Spanish and English. The topics studied include me, family and friends; technology in everyday life; free-time activities; customs and festivals, home, town, neighbourhood and region; social issues; global issues; travel and tourism; life at school and jobs, career choices and ambitions.

After three years, students will be fully prepared to make the decision about the GCSE language path they want to follow.

The GCSE in French will enable students to further develop their ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and writing, conveying what they want to say as well as listen to and understand in a number of informal situations.

The GCSE course is centred around three themes and students are expected to understand and give information and opinions on these themes, both relating to their own personal experiences and those of others, including those of French speakers from around the world.

Exam Board: Edexcel

The A Level in French has been designed to enthuse students through the study of the language, literature, film and culture of the French-speaking world. Throughout the course students should develop an advanced level knowledge and understanding of the French language, the culture of France and other French-speaking countries, as well as practical and valuable language and transferable study skills.

The course will prepare students for higher education and enhance their employability profile. Inspiring and engaging themes, literary texts and films will constitute the core of the course encouraging creativity, spontaneity and confident knowledge and application of grammar