French

The Learning Journey

Student Voice

Key Stage 3

‘I personally would recommend learning KS3 French because there is so much opportunity in it. Every lesson is enjoyable, but there is still a significant amount of education in it. All of these can have a lot of benefits in the future, while they are still really fun! These lessons allow everyone to participate and join in on the questions and answers.There is even a lot of resources and help available if you need it. These resources include booklets and we are also encouraged to use websites online that improve your vocabulary, grammar and a lot of other things. Some websites I would recommend are Duolingo, Linguascope, but you can even watch YouTube videos to help you’. Sakeen.

Key Stage 4

‘I think taking a language is quite important, as languages are used all around the world and French is quite a common language spoken by a lot of people. This skill of taking a language can be very useful for communication of foreign people’. Imran.

‘French gives us a unique understanding of our own language, and as students, can be learnt with personal strategies; nurturing independence and confidence’. Theo.

‘Taking a language (even as similar to English as French) opens you up to new methods of communication that are impossible to do in English, it will allow you to better understand your own native language(s) and how they work. Very many high-grade English words come from French and thus, in learning French, your English vocabulary will expand too. If you are dedicated, you may open your eyes up to a whole new realm of media, literature, films, food and culture of not just France but large portions of Africa and North America. French speaking friends are also really cool to have’. Noah.

‘GCSE French gave me the foundations to be able to have a conversation with a large number of people from across the globe. French can also help in many aspects of life, which is why it’s a very valuable subject to take. There’s the obvious skill of being able to speak another language, which can help you stand out to employers, but there’s also the ability to spot near cognates of French words in the English language, which could, potentially, elevate your understanding of English’.Sam.

You may wish to explore the French GCSE information video – Click here. (13 minutes).

Key Stage 5

‘French is a very fun and interesting subject, there’s no one way to go about learning it, which means that it lends itself to many creative ways to expand your understanding’. Joshua.

‘What I enjoy: It’s very different from the other subjects I do, it’s more interactive, topics are interesting’. Elisha.

‘The jump up from GCSE French to French A’ level is such an interesting one because it gives you the opportunity to start to express yourself a lot more in French. At A’ level you also start to study different topics, such as politics, immigration, music, cultural heritage and all these give you a chance to begin to express yourself and talk about these different topics, so I feel that is definitely an enjoyable part of French A’ level. I definitely feel for me studying Languages gives me an advantage; a lot of the employers in the UK are looking for people who can speak additional languages because there are a lot of people who don’t in fact speak an additional language. Also, it gives you the chance to do a lot of things while you’re at university, so in terms of what you can study - you can study Joint Honours, where you can study new languages, and pick up new languages like Chinese, or you can study it with History or Politics, or English or Economics, there’s definitely a wide range of Joint Honours which include languages. A great part about studying languages is the opportunity to go for a year abroad; to go on placements where you can do different things, such as study at a university abroad, you can do a work placement or you can teach, it’s definitely an experience I'm looking forward to - it’s just a chance to really consolidate your learning of languages, and also have a good time having a new experience abroad. I definitely feel that studying at Gravesend Grammar School was the right choice for me’. John.

Listen to the thoughts, experience and advice of former GGS students who have taken A’ level French on the Sixth Form Information Video for French A’ level the Gravesend Grammar School, or click to watch and listen to individuals here, here, here, here, or here.