French

AIMS

French, which is taught within the Languages Faculty, aims to enable pupils across all age and ability ranges to study the language with success and pleasure.

Pupils will be encouraged to:

  • develop the ability to understand Frencheffectively for the purposes of practical communication.
  • develop the ability to use Frenchimaginatively and creatively.
  • develop an understanding of the structures, grammar and nature of French.
  • enhance study skills, in particular language learning skills.
  • appreciate the culture, religion and civilisation of Frenchspeaking countries, sometimes through visits abroad.
  • cultivate positive attitudes to foreign language learning and to native speakers of the language.
  • apply broader skills, such as IT, in their studies
  • consider advancing their language studies when appropriate

 CURRICULUM

Key Stage 3

Upon entering the school, students are placed in either a French or Spanish group. In Year 8, they will continue with the language started in Year 7 and will also begin learning either German or Latin.

Topics taught in the first two years of study include myself, family, pets, free time, where I live, school, holidays and festivals.

Key Stage 4

All students must continue with at least one previously studied modern language—French, German, or Spanish—and may choose to learn an additional language.

We follow the AQA specification at GCSE in Year 11, covering three main themes across four papers:

  • Theme 1: Identity and Culture
  • Theme 2: Local, National, International, and Global Areas of Interest
  • Theme 3: Current and Future Study and Employment

Starting in 2024, we will transition to the Edexcel specification for GCSE. Students will be assessed equally on four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing, with examinations available at Foundation or Higher tier.

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES

The Faculty is located in Ormerod House and has five classrooms dedicated to the teaching of modern languages and two for the teaching of Latin and Classics. Our area also includes a computer laboratory with access to an array of digital platforms and a smaller classroom, ideal for the teaching of A Level groups or small speaking sessions. All rooms have a computer and amplifier through which to play sound recordings, and a data projector.

Each language in each year is supported by a specialist course. At KS3 staff follow the Stimmt course for German. Pupils at KS4 and KS5 follow the AQA OUP course, supplemented with an array of authentic materials, which also benefits from the Kerboodle platform and can be accessed from home. For the GCSE specification (first examination 2026) we are using Pearson materials and make full use of ActiveHub.

We use many digital resources, utilising Google Classroom for easy access to materials and communication. Popular digital tools include Quizlet, Blooket and Language Gym.

TRIPS AND VISITS

To enrich students’ language learning experiences and provide insight into the socio-cultural contexts of the languages they study, we strongly encourage participation in trips abroad and other cultural activities organised by the Department.

We aim to offer an annual short trip abroad where students can immerse themselves in the language and culture. Notable recent trips include a successful visit to Barcelona in October 2022 and a trip to Germany in July 2024, with plans for a trip to Paris in 2025.

The Faculty also arranges a number of trips to support pupils’ learning, to promote interest in the learning of languages and encourage curiosity about the cultures of their chosen language. In recent years there have been a number of visits including a film trip to HOME cinema in Manchester, and a study day for A Level Spanish at Manchester University.

Students, especially older ones, are encouraged to make trips abroad on their own initiative. Information about gap years and work experience abroad is posted from time to time on Faculty notice boards where we also provide key information about competitions, important dates and events to students and a library of books across all languages are available for them to borrow.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

The Department is dedicated to providing a wide variety of learning opportunities.  We currently offer a Film Club, a DuoLingo Club, a Mythology Club and a Games Club as well as revision sessions.

We also encourage participation in a number of regional, nationwide and indeed international competitions including the GCHQ National Languages Competition in November and the Northern Schools MFL Debating Competition. In February, we run the Linguistics Olympiad Competition for Year 9 and above.  Students have also had the chance to take part in an essay writing competition organised by Lancaster University.

In addition to this, we organise a Languages Day for Year 8 with outside speakers and various cultural and linguistic activities offered which reflect the diversity of the world. Year 11 pupils also have a dedicated Languages & Careers morning with guest speakers from Lancaster University and industry as well as taster sessions in different languages including Russian, Linguistics and Japanese.

For more information please contact:

Mrs. S Broom

Head of Languages Faculty