French

welcome Video

Course Overview

A complete linear course of study based on a syllabus leading to a GCSE Certificate in French. Grades are awarded at the end of

the course after four final exams. There is NO coursework or controlled assessment. Progress is assessed regularly throughout Year 10 and Year 11, which includes use of past papers and mock exams. Exams are taken at either Higher or Foundation level.

Year 10

Self, family & friends School Future plans Jobs Holidays Free time Past tense Shopping Healthy living

Year 11

Home & local area Environment Recycling Social issues Technology

Revision

Much importance is placed on grammar and linguistic structures. Students are expected to apply knowledge of such structures in their own use of language.

Assessment method

Paper 1 - Listening 25% of marks

Paper 2 - Speaking 25% of marks

Exam includes a role play, discussion based on a photo card and general conversation.

Paper 3 - Reading 25% of marks

Exam includes questions to be answered in English and in French, as well a short translation from French into English.

Paper 4 - Writing 25% of marks

Exam to include writing a short message, a short passage, a structured task, an open ended task and a translation from English into French.

Future Routes

Some UK universities require students to have a minimum grade 4 in a modern foreign language.

Knowledge of a modern foreign language is

helpful for jobs in these sectors:

•Education

•Business

•Finance

•Marketing

•Media

•Journalism

•Law

•Science

•Engineering

•Tourism

faqS

Q. What topics will my son/daughter study?

A. All students study six topics; identity and culture; local, national, international and global areas of interest; current and future study and employment. They will also learn to improve their understanding and expressing themselves using a range of grammatical structures and vocabulary related to those themes. The course is a two year course culminating in a test in all four skills, Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing at the end.

Q. Is French taught in sets?

A. No French is taught in similar ability groups.

Q. How big will my child’s French class be?

A.Classes vary in size but generally but the average KS4 class is 27 students per class.

Q. Who will teach my child and how often will they have French?

A. The GCSE teaching team is very experienced and your child will have 6 lessons a fortnight with their teacher. These are usually taught in double periods.

Q. Is French hard?

A. French is a really interesting and rewarding subject to take at GCSE, your child may find aspects of the course more difficult than others but his/her teacher will help him/her to be as successful as possible.

Q. Is literacy important in French?

A. Literacy is a whole school focus at Writhlington School.

Q: Do I have to take French if I want to do French A Level?