Curriculum Intent
The intent of the French curriculum at Walton-le-Dale is to develop language learners who have a love of languages, are resilient and independent, are confident speakers of French and have a secure understanding of phonics. They will have a strong awareness of the culture of French-speaking countries and they will have access to the use of authentic materials. They have a sound understanding of French grammar which includes the ability to apply it in new contexts and the ability to use and understand a range of tenses with confidence. They are inquisitive linguists, with intellectual curiosity, who ask searching questions and who like to understand how languages are interlinked and who can relate the influence of other languages to the English language. Pupils are also able to progress to the next stage of their language learning and they are proud of their linguistic achievements.
Programmes of Study
Pupils develop the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing at both Key Stages.
Key Stage 3 French
Year 7
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Topics |
Culture |
Grammar |
|
French schools French-speaking countries French food and drink French festivals Currency Café culture Paris French sports and leisure activities French customs and traditions French festivals and celebrations
|
Cognates Key verbs Infinitives Definite and indefinite articles Adjectival agreements Negatives Simple interrogatives Prepositions Connectives Possessive adjectives Partitive article Modal verbs High-frequency words Tenses: present, future, past
|
Key Stage 3 French
Year 8
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Topics |
Culture |
Grammar |
|
French theme parks French-speaking holiday destinations Climate Food and drink in French-speaking countries French festivals French television programmes and cinema Famous French personalities French TV/cinema/music French songs French-speaking territories French-speaking athletes French market traditions |
As Year 7 plus: Key verbs, including regular and irregular verbs Extended work on formation of tenses Adjectival agreement with tenses Comparatives
|
Key Stage 3 French
Year 9
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Topics |
Culture |
Grammar |
natural world
|
French customs and traditions |
Consolidation of present, future and perfect tenses |
Key Stage 4 French
Year 10
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Topic
|
Culture |
Grammar |
|
Theme: Identity and Culture
Theme: Local, national, international and global areas of interest
|
International festivals Extracts from French literature French-speaking regions and climate French transport, holiday destinations and accommodation French food and drink, including regional specialities French hobbies and leisure French film/media stars International role models |
Range of tenses Regular and irregular verbs Reflexive verbs Modal verbs Negatives Comparatives and superlatives Interrogatives Time frames and time expressions Comparatives Direct object pronouns Formation of higher level opinions
|
Key Stage 4 French
Year 11
|
Topic |
Culture |
Grammar |
|
Theme: Local, national, international and global areas of interest
Theme: Current and future study and employment
Theme: Local, national, international and global areas of interest
Full revision programme prior to final examinations. |
French-speaking regions and climate French transport, holiday destinations and accommodation French food and drink Schools in France Health and fitness considerations Geography International events International organisations Ethical considerations Fair Trade Environmental concerns Global concerns |
Range of tenses Regular and irregular verbs Reflexive verbs Modal verbs Negatives Comparatives/superlatives Interrogatives Time frames and time expressions Comparatives and superlatives Direct object pronouns Formation of higher level opinions |
Marking and Internal Assessment
Key Stage 3
The four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are marked using internal assessments.
Key Stage 4
The four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are marked using GCSE marking criteria.
Examinations
Pupils are entered for the AQA GCSE French exam.
Grades 9 to 1 are available.
Examinations are taken at the end of the course.
Pupils may be entered for either foundation or higher tier in all four skills.
Foundation tier of entry: Grades 1 to 5
Higher tier of entry: Grades 4 to 9
Revision Guides/Supporting Resources
CGP GCSE French (AQA) revision guide
Staff Details
Mrs R Holden – Curriculum Leader Modern Languages Department (French and German)
Mrs C Rowson – Teacher of French & Wider Life School Lead
Mrs P New – Teacher of French and German
Careers and Progression
Having knowledge of a foreign language is seen as a bonus in many jobs and a GCSE in a foreign language contributes to the EBacc portfolio of qualifications. A foreign language is seen as important by many universities, regardless of the subject taken at degree level. Studying a foreign language leads to employability in education, public services, travel and tourism, journalism, international business, law, management, administration, marketing, publishing, politics amongst others, as well as providing an ideal opportunity for living and working abroad in a number of disciplines. A good grade at GCSE MFL will be required for access to A-level MFL courses. Individual colleges will have their own published selection criteria.