French is taught by Mr Niall McParland (Head of Languages) in Room 10. Pupils will engage in numerous activities including listening, reading, writing and speaking activities. Here are some of the key topics studied in Key Stage 3:
Key Stage Three- 3 periods per week
Year 8
1. Language Awareness and phonics
2. French Alphabet
3. Numbers
4. Personal Details
5. Family
6. School
Year 9
1. Hobbies and Pastimes
2. Healthy Living
3. Food and drink
4. Weather
5. House and home
Year 10
1. Personal Details
2. Clothes/Fashion
3. Parts of the body
4. Health and fitness
5. Television
6. Trip to Paris
Key Stage Four French - 4 periods per week
Pupils are given the opportunity to study the AQA Syllabus GCSE French; it is currently in an option group alongside Art and PE.
Course structures and assessments
Assessments will take place throughout years 11 and 12 with only 40% of the exam taken at the end of the course.
GCSE Full course
Unit 1: Listening
• External exam, 20% of total mark
• Range of question types based on pre-recorded spoken material in French
• Student may enter either:
Foundation Tier (C–G) 30 min (+ 5 min reading time) 35 marks
Higher Tier (A*–D) 40 min (+ 5 min reading time) 40 marks
Available – January and June
Unit 2: Reading
• External exam, 20% of total mark
• Range of question types based on written material in French
• Student may enter either:
Foundation Tier (C–G) 30 min, 35 marks
Higher Tier (A*–D) 50 min, 45 marks
Available – January and June
Unit 3: Speaking
• Controlled assessment
• 60 marks: 30% of total mark
• Marks for two tasks submitted for moderation (recording for one task submitted for moderation)
• Last stage of each task lasts 4–6 min
• Available – June only
Unit 4: Writing
• Controlled assessment
• 60 marks: 30% of total mark
• Two tasks submitted for marking
• Last stage of each task occurs in one single session of no longer than 1 hour
• Word guidance: 200–350 words (D–G) or 400–600 words (A*–C) across both tasks
• Available – June only
