French
French, like Spanish, is taught for two lessons a week as a joint first modern foreign language, building on the achievements of the primary phase. We do assume that pupils have prior knowledge of this language, and so split pupils into two groups according to linguistic experience.
Pupils are encouraged to develop a good accent from the very start of the course, which is taught largely in French, although grammar points will be explained and notes written in English. There will be opportunities to create and perform short sketches on a small stage, which is a feature of all three language classrooms.
Regular tests using our unique eAssessment system that maximises our use of Chromebooks, is not only effective in creating and recognising progress, it also takes the pressure off pupils by spreading the load throughout the year. There are four testing points four times a year in the separate language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Pupils at this level have to prepare six PRQs (personal response questions) per testing period that they are able to adapt to suit their personality and opinion from the excellent scaffolded material we provide for them.
Course materials
The course makes full use of Chromebooks and is based on our own regularly updated resources. We also use Scaffolding for Productive Language, which is unique to Farlington and a wide range of inspiring images and authentic materials.
Un coup d'œil aux bases - a glance at the basics
Greetings, colours & shapes
Day & date, numbers to 100
Physical & character description
Your family pets & animals
Where you live
Inside your home & bedroom
Parts of the body & ailments
Celebration
Miam ! - Yum!
Breakfast in France, the UK and around the world
Selling fruit
Patisserie
Crêpes
Sweet and savoury
The best dates in Algeria
Smoothies galore !
A medley of vegetables
Organic products
International cuisine
Typical French dishes
Qui est le coupable ? - Whodunit?
Crime at the château - a theatrical‘whodunit’ which features storytelling, andexplores descriptions, motivations and pasttenses.
This is re-enacted on stage or made as a video play.
Suspects in a car theft - identify the culprit from the police interrogation video
How will I be assessed?
You will always get plenty of feedback from your teacher as you go along, but there are also 4 assessment points as we progress through the seasons.
Autumn
We start off just before half term with an eChallenge. This is around 18 multiple choice questions that you complete in controlled conditions on your Chromebook.
Then after half term, you will have eAssessments in all four language skills. eListening, eReading and eWriting are all computer-based testing and your eSpeaking will be 4 out of 6 Personal Response Questions plus a question to the teacher via a video link.
Winter
We follow the same model in January, i.e. an eChallenge one week followed by eListening, eReading eWriting and eSpeaking on your latest learning.
Spring
In March we follow the same testing model as previous terms.
Summer
Because of our modular approach to assessment, there is no end of year summer exam as such, but you will have the usual eChallenge and eAssessments on the most recent material you have learnt.
Note the eSpeaking and eWriting will be before half term, and eListening and eReading in exam week after half term.
If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: M Josselin Guédes-Wright, Head of French, on jgw@farlingtonschool.com