Languages

Introduction

From year 7, students are introduced to the five assessed skills; listening, reading, writing, translating and speaking. We start from the basics, such as numbers, letters and introductions. In lessons, teachers will speak some French to help listening skills but will ensure that lessons are clear and understandable to all.

Through the key stages, students are taught to build upon their knowledge like building blocks. Their confidence should improve through time and repetition should imbed their knowledge.

At the end of each module, there will be an assessment to see what the students have learned. The skills are tested on rotation so that the emphasis is on learning rather than testing.

Students are encouraged to use the Internet to cement their learning. The focus is on two main areas; vocabulary and grammar. There are a wide range of websites that are available but for vocabulary and for grammar.

Key Stage 3

In KS3, students build on the learning in order to ensure they finish year 9 as reasonably confident language learners. As French is not compulsory at GCSE, students are encouraged to try their hardest in all languages lessons, so that they can make an informed choice about the GCSE options when it comes round in year 9.

At KS3, every week students receive 3 hours of French in Year 7 and Year 8 and two hours in year 9.

In terms of content, students study a range of topics such as school, family and friends, town and free time. They also explore other French speaking countries through their study of the language.

Homework will be set on Activelearn and will be due every Friday. Students will have until midnight of the Friday to complete it. If students have any issues with the homework they must email the class teacher as soon as possible to avoid receiving a behaviour point for homework not done.

Key Stage 4

French is an optional GCSE subject but is part of the EBAC qualification. We follow the AQA syllabus, there is lots of information online about the course.

Students will be entered for either the Higher tier (Grades 4-9) or the Foundation tier (Grades 1 – 5), based on previous attainment and will be taught and prepared for that tier.  Students will sit 4 exams at the end of year 11: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

The speaking exam will take place before the start of the normal examination period.

Click this link to find out more information – GCSE French.

Homework will be set on Activelearn and will be due every Friday. Students will have until midnight of the Friday to complete it. If students have any issues with the homework they must email the class teacher as soon as possible to avoid receiving a behaviour point for homework not done.

Key Stage 5

At A-level we build upon the skills acquired at GCSE and extend their reach. The first month of As-Level French can be quite a shock in terms of a leap in the intensity but students are asked to be resilient as the shock wears off. Students are taught in very small groups which makes helping individuals far easier.

Students are still assessed on the core languages skills; listening, reading, writing, speaking and translating. They are also required to study a film and a novel and write an essay on each. The listening,  reading and writing paper is 2 hours and 30 minutes long, in this students are given their own listening device and can play the recordings as many times as they like.

Click this link to find out more information – AQA AS-Level French (7651).