FRENCH

KEY STAGE 3

Year 7

During Year 7 students cover the basics of French grammar in a variety of contexts. The text book is EXPO Book 1. They are introduced to the notion of noun gender, adjective agreement, the paradigms of regular -er verbs in the present tense and some irregular verbs. Other grammar points are the use of à, prepositions, negatives and numbers. The topics covered are Self, Home and Family, School Environment, Animals, Colours and Descriptions, Likes and Dislikes, Directions and Dates. Students are introduced to the basic skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. By the end of Year 7, pupils are expected to reach National Curriculum Level 3 - 4. Students are encouraged to take part in the Year 7 visit to Normandy and lessons beforehand focus on food and buying things in shops.

Year 7 visit to Normandy

Year 8

Year 8 FL1

In Year 8 French students have three lessons per week and use EXPO Book 2. They build on the work begun in Year 7. New grammar topics include the use of ‘de', the present tense of regular and irregular verbs and an introduction to the past and immediate future tenses. The contexts are Family, Free time, Going out, Clothes, Food and Meals and Holidays. By the end of Year 8 students should be working at National Curriculum Level 5 - 6.

Year 8 FL2

During Year 8 students have three lessons per week and they cover the basics of French grammar in a variety of contexts. The text book is EXPO Book 1. They are introduced to the notion of noun gender, adjective agreement, the paradigms of regular -er verbs in the present tense and some irregular verbs. Other grammar points are the use of à, prepositions, negatives and numbers. The topics covered are Self, Home and Family, School Environment, Animals, Colours and Descriptions, Likes and Dislikes, Directions and Dates. Students are introduced to the basic skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. By the end of the year students should be working at National Curriculum Level 3 – 4.

Year 9 FL1

During Year 9 students continue to develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. They have 3 periods per week and use EXPO Book 3. Use of the Perfect and Future Tenses are consolidated. For students to achieve good National Curriculum levels in Year 9 they must demonstrate a satisfactory use of these two tenses. Other grammar points are negatives, pronouns and qui and que. The topics covered are Free Time Activities, Future plans, Health, Going on Holiday and some topical issues. Students are tested in the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. By the end of Year 9 most students will have reached National Curriculum Level 7.

Year 9 FL2

During Year 9 students continue to develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. They have 3 periods per week and use EXPO Book 2, with occasional use of EXPO book 3 when necessary. The Perfect and Immediate Future Tenses are taught. For students to achieve good National Curriculum levels in Year 9 they must demonstrate a satisfactory use of these two tenses. Other grammar points are negatives and modal verbs . The contexts are Family, Free time, Going out, Clothes, Food and Meals and Holidays. By the end of Year 9 students should be working at National Curriculum Level 6 - 7.

GCSE

Year 10 and Year 11

The French course in Years 10 and 11 is a continuation of the work done in the previous years. The main aim of the course is to allow students to develop the ability to use French as a means of practical communication. A competent, accurate use of grammar will also be important. The language used will be as authentic and useful as possible, dealing with the topics of Lifestyle, Leisure,Home and Environment and Work and Education. In Year 10, there is the chance of an exchange visit with a school in Nantes.

Four main skills are developed, understanding the written and spoken language and communicating in the written and spoken language. The listening and reading papers count for 20% each of the final marks. The speaking and writing play a more important role with each skill counting for 30% of the marks.

The speaking test consists of two controlled assessment tasks, marked by the teacher and moderated by the exam board. Two written controlled assessment tasks are completed in controlled conditions and marked externally.

During the lessons, students are expected to participate as actively as possible. There is plenty of listening and reading comprehension practice, and students learn grammar and writing skills. Students are expected to do homework regularly and this sometimes includes learning by heart. To help improve oral skills, all students in Year 10 and 11 have the opportunity of weekly conversation practice with the Language Assistant.

A LEVEL

Year 12

In Year 12, students study the main topics of Media, Popular Culture, Healthy Living and Family & Relationships. Lessons are conducted largely in French and students are expected to participate as actively as possible. The examination consists of an oral test which lasts for fifteen minutes and covers all the topic areas and one written paper which has listening, reading and writing sections. Students have control of their own listening equipment and can listen as often as they need. There is revision of basic grammar and the introduction of further, more sophisticated grammatical structures. The French assistant works closely with the students during lesson time.

Written paper, 70% of total AS marks, 35% of total A level mark.

Speaking test, 30% of total AS marks, 15% of total A Level mark.

Year 13

Topics in A2 French are Environment, Multicultural Society, Contemporary Social Issues and two cultural topics, currently the Occupation of France during WW2 and the film director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. In Year 13, students also have an individual extra 10 – 15 minute conversation lesson time-tabled with the French assistant.

Written paper, 70% of total A2 marks, 35% of total A level mark.

Speaking test, 30% of total A2 marks, 15% of total A Level mark.

OTHER INFORMATION

Students in Year 12 have the opportunity to participate in the annual French exchange with our partner school in Nantes. This exchange takes place in October.

French exchange students in front of Angers cathedral