French
The intent of the French Curriculum
Studying French enables you to broaden your horizons and explore the language and culture of the French-speaking world whilst also improving your communication skills. Learning a language is a skill for life and something that students enjoy and find rewarding.
How is the French Curriculum implemented?
Building on the work undertaken in Year 9, you will develop your reading and listening skills and also practise speaking and writing French. A wide variety of topics are covered during the course. You will be encouraged to express opinions about a range of issues and explain them.
Extended learning: There are three lessons per fortnight and homework tasks are usually set on two out of the three lessons. These tasks may be: vocabulary learning, reading comprehension, a writing task based on work in the lesson or preparing for an assessment.
The impact of the French Curriculum at the end of Key Stage 4
How is it examined?
During the course, there will be regular vocabulary tests within each module of work as well as practice assessment tasks in all four skills. This usually works out as one assessment in reading, listening, speaking and writing at the end of each module.
At the end of Year 11, there will be exams in the four skill areas, each providing 25% of the final grade. GCSE French has a Foundation Tier (Grades 5-1) and a Higher Tier (Grades 9-4). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier. Support and guidance will be given regarding which Tier is most suitable for individuals.
What qualification will I get?
- Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in French
You could go on to study French in the Sixth Form and then at university, possibly combining it with another subject such as Law, Business, Travel and Tourism, Media or International Development. You could also use French in many local or national companies and businesses. In addition, a language at GCSE is often an entry requirement for the most competitive degree courses across a range of subjects.
Career directions could include:
Employers in many sectors welcome the problem-solving and communication skills that students develop when they study a language. French is an important language and can lead to a variety of careers in Business, Media, Law, Science, Education, Travel and Finance. Having a language qualification can open up so many opportunities and can take you all over the world working in Hospitality, the Armed Forces or teaching English abroad, the possibilities are endless! French is particularly in demand for organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières, an international medical and humanitarian organisation who work in lots of French speaking areas of Africa.