French
Staff
Mrs L Davies
Mrs P Potts
Miss E Pullen (HOD)
Mrs E Thomas
Department Information
We encourage an aural/oral approach to language learning and all pupils are offered the opportunity to study French at GCSE level. We follow the WJEC course, with pupils completing a written coursework module worth 25%, rather than sitting a written exam.
All pupils follow a scheme of work designed to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum. From Year 7, we work through the 4 skill areas integral to the course. We cater for pupils of all abilities and use differentiated material.
In Year 7, our priority is to provide a firm foundation on which we build in later years. We set patterns for the use of target language and we want all pupils to enjoy learning a language. 2009 - we have adopted a new interactive textbook called Clic!
We follow Modules 4 – 6 of Métro 1 textbook in Years 8, we have produced our own booklets for year 9 pupils and we use Métro 4 in Years 10 & 11 alongside various other resources. We teach the relevant grammar required for each topic.
At the end of each unit, pupils are assessed on the 4 skill areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading & Writing and their marks and targets for improvement are recorded.
Why is it important to learn a foreign language?
Learning a foreign language is fun! Not only do you get to make friends by participating in class oral activities, but you also get the chance to sing songs, taste foreign food and go on a trip abroad.
Speaking another language can open up a host of opportunities for young people. You might want to work or study abroad, or simply take an extended holiday or gap year but all foreign travel is much more rewarding (& much less stressful!) if you can communicate with the local people. You’ll find out more about the way they work, their cuisine and their social lives – and you’ll be able to gain an insight into the country that is much deeper than that of a tourist.
There are many misconceptions about how languages are used at work. Many think that the only jobs available for language students are in translation, interpreting & teaching – not true! These occupations represent only some of the many opportunities out there in a huge variety of industries for people with language skills at all levels. Although fluency will give the jobseeker more options, basic ability in languages is much in demand as employers seek those capable of communicating with foreign customers or breaking the ice with a few phrases at visits, or in a meeting. In fact, in Wales there is a growing recognition of the need to promote a greater national capability in foreign languages in all areas of business and some businesses will even pay higher salaries to those people with some knowledge of a modern foreign language.
See www.ciltcymru.org.uk for further information about languages & careers.