Subject Outline / Aim
"No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive."
- Ghandi
Learning a foreign language helps to embed key literacy, communicative, auditory and aural skills as well as promoting tolerance and providing an opening to other cultures.
High quality teaching enables students to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It also provides opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read great in French. In addition, it provides the foundation for learning further languages, equipping students to study and work in other countries. MFL serves a cultural and linguistic purpose in that it exposes students to foreign language and culture, therefore promoting global citizenship.
KS3
The KS3 curriculum at Holy Family builds on prior learning at KS2 by reinforcing vocabulary, basic grammar and transactional language. It allows students to explore diverse topics and more complex grammar, allowing them to express themselves in a foreign language.
Click on this link for learning schemes overview
What homework will I get?
You will be expected to complete a 30/40 minute homework on a weekly basis. This will include learning vocabulary (using Active learn online) and verb formations, practice in the use of grammatical structures, reading exercises, speaking presentations, extended pieces of writing and online learning. There will be an expectancy of self-driven revision after each lesson at home to consolidate in school learning, using active learn on line as well as your exercise book.
Learning Journey
From knowing no French at all or very little French at the beginning of year 7, you will have learnt all the basics to make you KS4 ready by the end of year 8. Although year 9 is a GCSE year, it is a year where you consolidate your French and feel confident to access the exam requirements for year 10 and 11.
| Week | MAP OF LEARNING French | ||||||||||
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | |||||||
| AUTUMN TERM | 1 | Phonics
Meeting people School objects and classroom Numbers to 20 colours articles Personal pronouns Adjective agreements |
Phonics families jobs where people live weather describing a typical day
er,Ir, Re verbs present tense |
Go through AQA GCSE Specifications
television films daily routine describe a story present, past and future tenses, perfect tense of reflexive verbs direct objects |
Phonics revision in preparation for speaking exam. Theme 1; Revising family, describing people, places and activities using the present, perfect and imperfect tenses | Current and future study and employment: theme 3 Discussing career choices, understanding case studies, talking about plans, applying for jobs. Using direct object pronouns in the perfect tense, more on the subjunctive, verbs followed by "à" or "de" | |||||
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| 8 | "avoir" present tense talking about my family pets physical description Plural
possesive adjectives |
what happened last weekend and last night TV programmes where you went perfect tense with avoir irregular past participles | plans for tomorrow predictions future careers why learn languages connectives in complex sentences future tense with "quand" | Hobbies: theme 1 Sports, music, technology, films TV, reading. Using superlative adjectives.
Introducing Structures with the subjuncive. |
our planet: theme 2
discussing problems facing the world, talking about protecting the environment, talking about volunteering, discussing big events. Using modal verbs in the contitional, making connections between word types, using the passive form, using direct and indirect pronouns. |
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| SPRING TERM | 1 | Talking about where people live my house my bedroom evening activities telling the time | going out making excuses not to go out clothes shopping comparatives and superlatives modal verbs adjective agreements | illnesses and injuries
healthy living using imperatives emphatic pronouns negatives expressions with avoir and être |
Celebrations: Theme 1
Talking about food and meals celebrations , festivals and traditions using pronoun "en", modal verbs, venir de + infinitive and a range of tenses Completing the conversation for exam from theme one |
Exam revision
reading and listening past papers, reading booklets, practise speaking exam |
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| 8 | Places in town directions Ordering snacks and drinks Prepositions asking questions expressing opinions | Food
French meals preparing a party at the market at the restaurant short dialogues more on articles "de" with quantities |
imperfect: tense
talking about what you used to do sports narrative in the imperfect tense qui and que |
my region: theme 2
talking about where you live, weather and transport question words, using negatives, using the pronoun "y", using the present, past and future tenses. Completing the conversation for exam from theme 2. |
past papers, listening in IT room, practise for writing exam. | ||||||
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| SUMMER TERM | 1 | Morning routine
school subjects school time-table after school activities intensifiers connectives reflexive verbs |
countries and languages holidays at the holiday camp talking about a past holiday
booking on line question words prepositions |
learning about a region in France
travel arrangements booking a hotel room visit to an attraction sporting event :24h du Mans |
Holidays: theme 2
talking about h0lidays using all tenses booking and reviewing hotels, ordering in a restaurant, buying souvenirs, talking about travelling. Using all tenses, "avant de" + infinitive, "en" + present participle |
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| 6 | sports and games musical instruments hobbies at the leisure centre going on holiday near future | friends
pocket money gadgets "avoir besoin de" more comparatives and superlatives present, past and future |
comparing schools in different countries
young people at work world issues: fighting famine rights and religion human rights |
School life: themes 2 and 3
revising school subjects and complex opinions comparing schools in England and France, discussing school rules, healthy living, school exchanges. Using "il faut" and "il est interdit de", using the imperative, discussing vices, using all tenses. Completing the conversation for exam from theme 3. |
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KS4
What is GCSE French?
Knowledge of French is not just another GCSE grade – it is a concrete and demonstrable life skill, like being able to drive a car or touch-type, and it is a skill highly-valued by employers. French is spoken on five continents, in over 40 countries, including two G8 countries, it’s one of the six official languages of the UN, and it’s one of the most common languages found on the Internet. Studying French will not only develop your language skills, it will improve your social skills, expand your cultural knowledge, and allow you to experience a sense of achievement.
What skills will I develop?
GCSE French teaches you communication skills, adaptability and cultural awareness. Learning how to interact with speakers of another language means you are less likely to be stuck in one mode of thinking. It can help you see things from a range of perspectives, develop your problem-solving skills, and make you more adaptable, resourceful and creative. Learning French, you will develop language-learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare you for further language study and use in school, higher education or employment.
What syllabus will I follow?
You will follow the AQA GCSE French syllabus (8668). AQA’s objective is to enable pupils of all abilities to develop their confidence in a variety of contexts with confidence.
What will the course look like?
Topics covered during the three-year course are divided into three themes and each theme covers four topics. Theme 1: Identity and culture
- Me, my family and friends
- Technology in everyday life
- Free-time activities
- Customs and festivals in French-speaking countries
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest
- Home, town, neighbourhood and region
- Social issues
- Global issues
- Travel and tourism
Theme 3: Current and future study and employment
- My studies
- Life at school/college
- Education post-16
- Jobs, career choices and ambitions
Pupils thinking about taking GCSE French are strongly advised in year 8 to take part in the French trip to the Opal Coast. This is an excellent way to improve language skills, develop cultural understanding and independence.
How will I be assessed?
The course is 100% final exam and each skill area (listening, speaking, reading and writing) will be worth 25%. Skills are assessed at Foundation (grades 1-5) or Higher Tier (grades 4-9). The use of dictionaries is not permitted in any exam.
What jobs or further courses of study might this lead to?
There are many opportunities to travel or work with organisations abroad where some knowledge of French is a clear advantage: interpreter, teacher, translator, journalist, sales executive, marketing executive, tour manager, editor to name but a few!
The range of combined degrees and further education courses involving French is limitless – from accountancy to theatre studies with French. Many universities even offer funding for students to continue or extend their French knowledge by travelling or working abroad during the long vacations
Are there any entry requirements for this course?
Yes, you must be KS4 ready to follow this course.
If I need additional support, what can I access?
It is extremely important for pupils to have access to a bilingual dictionary and/or reference material on the internet to assist them with language homework. Revision guides and knowledge organisers are also available to purchase and class teachers will inform you about support sessions.
Subject Support Materials / Equipment
https://www.languagesonline.org.uk/Hotpotatoes/frenchindex.html
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/french/watch-french-tv-online/
This one is not free but you get a 14 days free trial. It is excellent
https://www.fluentu.com/french/
https://bonjourdefrance.com/niveaux-de-francais
Lots of brilliant tasks which are free. Year 7, 8 and 9, use Debutant A1 and year 10 and 11 use intermediaire A2.
Years 9, 10 and 11 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zr8bmfr
Years 7 and 8 https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zgdqxnb
All years, this is the online version of our textbook which I expect all students to use every week of the year to learn vocabulary and practise what I teach them in class https://www.pearsonactivelearn.com/app/Home
Download the Duolinguo app on your phone and practise your French on the move!
Extra-Curricular
KS4 revision session
Other language competitions