Year 7

In year 7 French, students receive a cultural introduction to France before embarking on a course which covers the basics and enables them to engage in brief conversations and exchanges. The emphasis on speaking skills in the first term encourages students to build up their confidence when speaking the language. Knowledge from each topic is used in future topics allowing students to constantly recycle information as they move forward. Phonics is built into lessons each term in order to enable students to recognise important letter groups and improve their pronunciation. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples to broaden their knowledge and to improve their literacy skills.

Each term students carry out an enrichment activity based on relevant cultural festivals or celebrations.

Year 8

The year 8 French course builds on students’ knowledge from year 7 and introduces a variety of new and useful topics. Students are encouraged to become more independent in their writing and speaking skills. Throughout year 8 students will also work in different tenses, allowing them new ways to convey information. Knowledge from each topic and from year 7 is used in future topics allowing students to constantly recycle information as they move forward. Phonics is built into lessons each term in order to enable students to recognise important letter groups and improve their pronunciation. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples and also carry out a piece of authentic reading to broaden their knowledge and to improve their literacy skills.

Each term students carry out an enrichment activity based on relevant cultural festivals or celebrations.

Year 9

The year 9 course provides a very important bridging year for students as they will continue to use and develop their knowledge from the Key Stage 3 curriculum whilst experiencing parts of carefully chosen GCSE topics. Students can expect to get a taste of what it is like to study French at GCSE through a bigger emphasis on grammar and content which asks them to consider important aspects of society. Knowledge from each topic and from year 7 and 8 is used in future topics allowing students to constantly recycle information as they move forward. Previous phonics work is referred to in lessons in order to enable students to recognise important letter groups and improve their pronunciation. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples to improve their literacy skills. This is based on high frequency French words.

Each term students carry out an enrichment activity based on a topic they are studying

Year 10

The GCSE course begins at the start of year 10 and students study the topics required for the Eduqas French GCSE course. There is an emphasis on improving and showing progress in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and students are encouraged to carry out regular independent work in order to fully develop their confidence. Knowledge from Key Stage 3 is built upon as well as the acquisition of GCSE specific vocabulary and grammatical structures. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples to improve their literacy skills. This is based on high frequency French words.

Each term students carry out an enrichment activity based on a topic they are studying.

Time is taken to carefully explain the examination process so that students are aware of what they are working towards and when they will take place. At every point, the class teacher provides help and advice and is always available to offer support when it is required.

Students are given an array of support materials to help them throughout their GCSE course.

Year 11

During year 11, students study the remainder of the topics required to complete the course and to enable them to confidently sit their examinations. Regular exam practice in all four skills is also carried out. All students carry out a mock speaking exam during term 2 which builds confidence and identifies areas for improvement before the real exam takes place at the end of the spring term/ beginning of the summer term. Throughout year 11 students develop their exam skills whilst ensuring they have a solid knowledge of general vocabulary and French grammar. Every two weeks, students receive a word of the week along with some examples to improve their literacy skills. This is based on high frequency French words.

Topics of study are used as enrichment opportunities.

Students are given an array of support materials to help them throughout their GCSE course.

Exam board: Eduqas