French

In languages, we want our students to have a happy and successful learning experience.

We aim to ensure that our students become enthusiastic, broad-minded and resilient learners who are open to other cultures.

Our curriculum aims to enable pupils to communicate in another language. Our students gain the skills that allow them to understand and respond to French and Spanish and to express ideas and opinions in a range of different contexts. We aim to furnish our students with the skills to study languages post-16 and to go on to further broaden their horizons in the wider world, whether that be studying a language at a higher level or in the worlds of travel or work.

We focus on developing their competencies in listening, reading, speaking and writing, building up their independence to be spontaneous and to deconstruct texts in a range of contexts and settings. We want to make our students aware of the value and importance of learning a language and aim to develop their respect for others both in our community and around the world. Through the trips we organise, we provide our students with the opportunity to communicate for practical purposes and to build up lifelong friendships. Our students are exposed to the grammatical structures that underpin French and Spanish and this is revisited regularly.

Languages are so much more than a subject; they are a skill for life.

Year 9

To develop the confidence of all students and empower them with the autonomy to access new and unfamiliar language through the use of decoding skills facilitated by the explicit teaching of phonics and sound patterns; to deepen students’ curiosity and understanding of the world; to work towards becoming a fluent and spontaneous French speaker, allowing students to become global citizens of the future.

Throughout the year there are opportunities to enhance all four skills and to become more proficient in the ability to express spoken and written language, with a back-drop of GCSE-style tasks (e.g: the photo card, the role-play, the 40-word task, translation both ways)

Topics have been selected for the purposes of continuity, consolidation and connection to one another, eg technology used in free time, sport and hobbies as a use of free time; house, home & region, going to a café.

Year 10 (KS4)

Most lessons include the practice of all four skills, in addition to which students will be exposed to and become more proficient in the fulfilment of the GCSE criteria, specifically for writing and speaking. This will be done by exposure to role play scenarios, photo cards and in the summer term, examples of general conversation questions. Students will be encouraged to use a range of tenses, opinions and justifications in their work, and to learn vocabulary week by week. Assessment opportunities test reading and listening skills as well as the application of grammar.

Year 11 (KS4)

Most lessons continue to include the practice of all four skills, in addition to which students will be exposed to a range of higher-level tasks. Role play scenarios, photo cards and general conversation questions continue to be a focus, with the addition of exam skills-based learning. Writing practice is frequent, with students being encouraged to diversify their language and ensure that written accuracy is a priority. Assessment occurs in class as well as in mock weeks.

Year 12 (KS5)

Lessons include the practice of all four skills. Translation, responding in both languages in a range of contexts and styles, developing extended answers and responding verbally to thematic speaking cards are key features of the course. Students will be taught summary skills, for use in both reading and listening exam questions and have frequent opportunities to revisit both vocabulary and grammar. Recall skills are called into question as part of every lesson.

Assessment opportunities include the use of Kerboodle materials, past paper questions and responses to literary questions based on the book and film being studied. Grammar is frequently tested as part of an on-going programme.

Year 13 (KS5)

Lessons will build on the skills already acquired during Year 12, including translation, responding to a range of written and spoken texts in the target language and responding verbally to thematic speaking cards are key features of the course. All four skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) will be refined. Students continue to examine aspects of French-speaking society within the following areas of study: current issues and political life. Recall skills are called into question as part of every lesson.