Curriculum
French
Key Stage 3
In years 7, 8 and 9 French is taught for three lessons a week. During the course of year 9, students are given the opportunity to opt for French as a GCSE in years 10 and 11. In years 7 and 8 students follow a ‘Mastery Curriculum’ and in year 9 follow a ‘Bridging Curriculum’ to ensure they are well prepared for the GCSE 1-9.
Key Stage 4 – GCSE French
French is studied in years 10 and 11 for three periods a week. The GCSE is made up of four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. All four skills are tested externally at the end of Year 11.
Key Stage 5 – A-level French
French can be studied at Key Stage 5 and followed as a two year course resulting in an A-level qualification.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum information
Curriculum content
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Myself: information about self; introducing and describing family members and pets. | Media | Social Media |
| School | Holidays | Healthy lifestyle |
| Freetime | Music and fashion | Future plans |
| Where I live | Life at home | Tourism/Holidays |
| Going out | Celebrities | Introducing Module 1 GCSE |
| Holidays | French history and geography | Project work |
Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) Assessment
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Every half term, one of the four skills is tested plus a grammar test. | Every half term, one of the four skills is tested plus a grammar test. | Every half term, one of the four skills is tested plus a grammar test. |
Key Stage 4 Curriculum Information
Course content: Students will study a broad range of topics and subtopics.
- Myself and family: Describing self and family/ Problems with friends/ Hobbies and interests/ Sporting events.
- Freetime: Music/ Media preferences/ Films and film reviews/ Making plans/ Sport.
- Home and local environment: House, town and local area.
- School Life: School description/ Lessons and teachers/ School routine/ Ideal school.
- Travel and tourism: Holidays/ Accommodation/ Food and drink/ A disaster.
- School and Future Plans: Work experience/ Part-time jobs/ Plans for the future – jobs/careers.
- Food and Festivals: Daily life/ Special occasions/ Eating out.
- Wider world: Threats to the environment/ Global events/ Volunteering/ World problems.
Key Stage 4 Assessment
The GCSE is made up of four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing. All skills are terminal exams sat in the summer of year 11 and each paper is worth 25%. The speaking exam takes place with subject teachers but is marked by an external examiner.
Key Stage 5 Curriculum Information
Course content: Students will study a broad range of topics and subtopics
The new A-level French will consist of the following topics:
- Changing role of the family
- The digital world
- Volunteering
- Crime
- Diverse society
- Life in different social groups
- Film/ literature
Key Stage 5 Assessment
Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing
What’s assessed:
- Aspects of French society
- Artistic culture in the French world
- Multi-culturalism in French society
- Aspects of political life in French society
- Grammar
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 100 marks in total
- 50% of A-level
Paper 2: Writing
What’s assessed:
- One text and one film or two texts from the list set in the specification
- Grammar
How it’s assessed:
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 80 marks in total
- 20% of A-level
Paper 3: Speaking
What’s assessed:
- Individual research project
- One of four sub-themes (ie Aspects of French society or Artistic culture in the French world or Multi-culturalism in French society or Aspects of political life in French society).
How it’s assessed:
- Oral exam: 21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation time)
- 60 marks in total
- 30% of A-level
General Information
Useful Skills
Language learning especially appeals to people who enjoy logical thinking and pattern spotting: if you are good at maths or music, then you are probably a great linguist.
A good understanding of basic grammar in English (or another language) is essential to language learning. Most importantly, you must want to communicate with others and have an interest in other cultures.
