French
Introduction to French
Two of the most persistent myths about languages are that the British do not need to learn foreign languages since everyone else speaks English, and that the only jobs for people with languages are teaching and translating. Both statements are false! The reality is that over 60% of British trade is with non-English-speaking countries and British businesses lose billions of pounds each year due to poor language skills. Skilled linguists have never been so much in demand! There are more than 260 million native French speakers. International businesses prefer to hire people who speak more than one language and French is the ideal language as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations.
French at KS3
Students will study beginner's French in Y7. The KS3 French course covers an introduction to spoken and written French. Students will learn a range of topical vocabulary which includes: personal descriptions, school and home. Alongside their academic studies, students will gain an insight into Francophone culture and celebrations such as Noël and Pâques. Students in Y7 will study 3 lessons of French per fortnight. In Y8 and 9 students will specialise in one of the 2 languages offered in Y7 and receive 3 lessons of French per week in Y8 and 9.
French at KS4
The 2-year EDUQAS GCSE course will extend students’ knowledge of a range of vocabulary and grammatical concepts in French, to allow them to use their language competently and express their own ideas and opinions. Throughout the GCSE, students will study cultural elements associated with Francophone countries.
The course content is broken down into 3 themes:
- Identity and Culture
- Local, national, international and global areas of interest
- Current and Future Study and Employment.
The GCSE exam is made up of 4 assessed components and is tiered (Foundation/Higher):
|
Component 1 - speaking |
25% 1-1 exam with class teacher 60 marks |
Role play, photo card, general conversation. Higher - 10/12 minutes Foundation - 7/9 minutes |
|---|---|---|
|
Component 2 - Listening |
25% exam 45 marks |
Students will listen to a track and answer questions in French and English as instructed. Activities may include: match up, tick box, gap fill, full sentences. Higher - 45 minutes Foundation - 35 minutes |
|
Component 3 - Reading |
25% exam (takes place after the listening exam) 60 marks |
Students will read a variety of texts presented in different formats, and answer questions in French or English as instructed. Activities may include: articles, adverts, literary extracts, match up, gap fill, full sentence answers. A translation into English is also included. Higher - 1 hour 15 Foundation - 1 hour |
|
Component 4 - Writing |
25% exam 60 marks |
Students will write at varying lengths, in French, about different topics from the themes they have studied throughout the GCSE course. Foundation: 12 mark sentence task 16 mark (60 word) writing 20 mark (120 word) extended writing 12 mark translation into French.
Higher: 20 mark (120 word) extended writing 28 mark (180 word) extended writing 12 mark translation into French. |
