Year 7 students study both French and Spanish and continue with both languages during Years 8 and 9. During the Spring term of Year 9, pupils and parents are asked to make their GCSE choices and, while a language is not compulsory, all pupils are encouraged to continue with one. We are, of course, delighted to see enthusiastic linguists continue with both at GCSE.
Over the course of Key Stage 3, pupils study a range of topics in French. In Year 7 these include the foundations such as phonics, the alphabet, numbers and dates within the broad contexts of self and family and school life. In Year 8 pupils learn about free time, technology and local environment. Year 9 sees the introduction of family and friends, hobbies, daily life and celebration.
Throughout Key Stage 3, pupils learn a range of tenses and grammar points with the aim of confidently understanding and producing conversation and texts in the past, present and future tenses by the end of Year 9. We frequently practise the skills necessary for language learning: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Translation and Photo description.
We also strive to raise awareness of cultural similarities and differences within the French speaking communities. Students have the opportunity to participate in our annual European Day of languages celebrations, the MFL Public Speaking Competition and biennial trips to France.
GCSE French provides a solid foundation for progression onto other language studies, including A Level French. Students gain a strong grounding in a range of vocabulary, tenses and higher-level structures. As with Key Stage 3, we frequently practise the skills necessary for language learning with a focus on preparation for the GCSE examinations.
We continue to raise awareness of cultural similarities and differences within the French speaking communities and students are encouraged to participate in our annual European Day of languages celebrations, the MFL Public Speaking Competition and biennial trips to France.
Students study the three themes, on which the AQA GCSE assessments are based:
Theme 1: Identity and culture.
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest.
Theme 3: Current and future study and employment
Typical activities
GCSE examinations
Four examinations in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. All worth 25% each. Pupils may sit the Foundation or Higher Tier.
AS and A Level French (AQA Syllabus) is designed to allow students to use their linguistic abilities to discuss, debate and express their own opinions on a variety of topics. French at Key Stage 5 is a challenging yet greatly rewarding subject, especially for those students who wish to study Languages at University or a complete a year abroad.
Year 12
Theme 1: Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends (family and personal identity, cyberspace, voluntary work)
Theme 2: Artistic culture in the French-Speaking world (regional culture and heritage in France, art and music in the French speaking world)
Prescribed film: La Haine by Mathieu Kassovitz
Year 13
Theme 3: Aspects of the French-speaking society: current issues (cultural enrichment and difference and discrimination and diversity, criminality)
Theme 4: Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world (migration and integration, cultural identity and marginalization, political life and citizenship)
Prescribed literary work: Un sac de billes by Joseph Joffo
Individual Research Project: pupils select an area of personal interest to research in preparation for their speaking examination.
A Level examinations
GCSE French Grade 6 if studied or; assessment of proficiency.
Combines well with all subjects. Often attracts a lower offer when combined with another subject at university.
