Key Stage 3
Our aim is to develop students who are confident, independent learners of French. In each module there is a strong teaching and learning focus on grammatical knowledge and awareness and students should be able to understand and use the perfect, present and immediate future tense by the end of year 8. Lessons focus on a variety of activities which promote understanding through listening and reading tasks and which encourage practical communication in speaking and writing. Furthermore, we study phonics, in order that students can speak with accurate pronunciation and work out the pronunciation of unknown words. Cultural awareness is a key theme in each module and students learn to appreciate and compare life here with life in French speaking countries. We also have access to a computer suite and the department subscribes to various websites which enable students to consolidate their learning in the classroom with a variety of fun, yet challenging activities. Students are expected to learn key, high frequency vocabulary and phrases on a regular basis to improve their knowledge and literacy skills.
In year 7, students are set according to ability and they have 2 one hour lessons per week. Topics in year 7 include: France and the French-speaking world, school and me and my family.
In year 8, students are set according to ability and they have 3 one hour lessons per week. Topics include: hobbies and new technology, eating out, future plans and dreams, and a recent visit to Paris.
Key Stage 4
Our KS4 curriculum aims to build on the work done at KS3. Students learn how to express their own views and describe their own interests and backgrounds in the foreign language. We also discuss wider global issues like the environment and social issues and we continue to devote time to grammar, in order that students can manipulate the language, leading to a greater degree of independence and creativity. The development of communication skills, together with understanding the structure of the language, lay the foundations for future study of other languages and also support the development of literacy skills in a student’s own language.
Key Stage 4 Courses Offered
Level 2 Qualification
Link to Website and specification
French (current year 9, 10 & 11)
Extra Curricular Activities
The French department offers catch up and homework support at 2.30pm each day, with the exception of Wednesday.
www.linguascope.com (students have the username and password in their French books)
www.languagesonline.org.uk (a free website)
www.vocabexpress.com (KS4 students have their individual username and password in their French books)
www.quizlet.com (make study sets of key vocabulary and phrases)
www.thisislanguage.com (KS4 students have their individual username and password in their French books)