Curriculum Intent
Within the French department, our aim is to share our love and passion of languages. We believe that learning a language is hugely important, whatever a student's ability and we aim to provide all our students with the key knowledge and skills that will help them to discover more about French and be successful, not only in their language learning but also throughout their school career and beyond. We want students to be enthused by learning a language and share our passion; a language offers the opportunity to be inquisitive about other countries and cultures. We aim to develop knowledge about language by ensuring that students understand how a language works and how to manipulate it. By recognising the linguistic features of the French language, we aim to develop students ability to use familiar language for new purposes and in new contexts, to use their imagination to express thoughts, ideas, experiences and feelings. Learning and knowledge about a language unlocks so much opportunity in the world and within a person. It offers a new way of thinking and the opportunity to experience other cultures; opening up their breadth of understanding of the world and how to communicate within it.
We aim to develop linguistic competence by:
- Developing the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a range of real live situations and contexts.
- Applying linguistic knowledge and skills to understand and communicate effectively in the target language.
- Perfecting correct pronunciation, articulation and speed of delivery.
- Acquiring language learning skills.
We aim to develop knowledge about language by:
- Understanding how a language works and how to manipulate it.
- Recognising that languages differ but may share common grammatical features.
We aim to develop creativity by:
- Using familiar language for new purposes and in new contexts.
- Using imagination to express thoughts, ideas, experiences and feelings.
- Developing assessment for learning strategies.
We aim to develop intercultural understanding by:
- Appreciating the richness and diversity of other cultures.
- Recognising there are different ways of seeing the world, and developing an international outlook.
- Gaining knowledge of cultural France
Student Learning Journey
Rationale of sequencing: We teach a spiral curriculum that ensures that we consistently revisit the key strands of the subject in order to consolidate and develop students’ skills in reading, listening, speaking and writing. The modules and units that we cover become more challenging in language and content as the curriculum progresses.
Key Stage 3 French
At KS3, in line with the National Curriculum students are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the programme of study.
Key stage 3: will build on the foundations of language learning laid at key stage 2. Even if students have studied an alternative language at Key Stage 2, they will have developed transferrable linguistic skills that will enable them to further progress in their language acquisition. Throughout Key Stage 3, the focus will be on developing the breadth and depth of students’ competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing, based on a sound foundation of core grammar and vocabulary. Key Stage 3 will also enable students to understand and communicate personal and factual information that goes beyond their immediate needs and interests, developing and justifying points of view in speech and writing, with increased spontaneity, independence and accuracy. The knowledge and skills that students learn and acquire at Key Stage 3 will provide a strong base for further study at Key Stage 4 and beyond.
In Year 7 we aim to develop linguistic competence by:
- Developing the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a range of real live situations and contexts.
- Applying linguistic knowledge and skills to understand and communicate effectively in the target language.
- Perfecting correct pronunciation.
In Year 7 students will focus on:
Language Learning Skills from Key Stage 2:
Embedding and using general vocabulary
Module 1 – C’est pers – All about me
Module 2- Mon collège- All about my school
Module 3- Mon temps-Libre – Free time activities
Module 4- Ma Zone – My area/My town
Module 5- Partez! – Holidays
Grammar Focus —Verb endings for personal pronouns; Adjectival, plural, masculine, feminine agreements; Present tense and Past tense; Asking questions and answering with an opinion that is both positive and negative; partitive article for food items and sports
In Year 8 students will build on their skills and learning from Year 7:
Students will be using their digital book and Vocab Express to speed up the acquisition of vocabulary and to work on present tense verbs. The theme of hobbies will allow students to review and develop upon work from last year with a focus on topics of TV programmes, films, reading and IT give them new vocabulary to master. Students will be encouraged to speak French in the classroom:
Module 1 T’es branché? – Leisure activities at home
Module 2: Paris je t’adore! – All about France
Module 3: Mon identité – The characteristics of me and my family
Module 4: Chez moi, chez toi – My home
Module 5: Quel talent? – Personal skills
Grammar Focus- Definite and Indefinite articles. Masculine and Feminine articles. Present tense-regular verbs and irregular. Perfect tense: Avoir and Être regular verbs and irregular. Adjectival Agreements and reflexive verbs present and past tense. Agreeing and disagreeing with Opinions: why and why not? Near future tense. Intensifiers and connectives. Teaching: subjects+ Verbs + Direct Objects structural sentences
By the end of Year 9 students will be able: The focus of Year 9 is to enable students to understand and communicate personal and factual information that goes beyond their immediate needs and interests, developing and justifying points of view in speech and writing, with increased spontaneity, independence and accuracy. Students will be given opportunities to develop their competence in listening; speaking, reading and writing based on a sound foundation of core grammar and vocabulary. We also aim to empower students to use and manipulate key grammatical structures and develop a wide ranging and deepening vocabulary. This will provide suitable preparation for further study.
Link to prior learning: The Year 9 curriculum builds on the foundations of language learning laid at key stage 2, year 7 and 8. The focus of year 9 is to enable students to develop skills acquired previously such as knowledge of phonology, grammatical structures and vocabulary. In addition to this, there is also a strong emphasis on building on practical communication skills. (Please see National Curriculum for KS2 and KS3 Languages)
Module 1 -Qui suis-je? Moi et ma famille et mes amis – Who am I? Me, my family and friends
Module 2- Technology – Use of technology in the modern world
Module 3-le temps des Loisirs! – Activities inside and outside the home
Module 4: Les Jours de Fetes et celebrations et festivals. – Festivals and traditions
Module 5: Ma ville et la campagne - Regions with Holidays.
Module 6 - En forme - Healthy lifestyles
Grammar Focus- Present tense-regular verbs and irregular. Perfect tense: Avoir and Être regular verbs and irregular. Adjectival Agreements and reflexive verbs present and past tense. Agreeing and disagreeing with Opinions: why and why not? Near future tense. Intensifiers and connectives. Teaching: subjects+ Verbs + Direct Objects structural sentences. Il faut que, future simple, using 3 tenses together in a sentence. Conditional tense and Modal verbs. Imperfect tense and with perfect tense x2 tenses in one action. Use of different tenses in a sentence together. Making questions using inversion Use of empathic pronouns.
Key Stage 4 French
At Key Stage 4, students will be following the AQA syllabus which is both interesting and challenging for students. There are 3 broad themes:
Theme 1: Identity and culture; Me, my family and friends, technology in everyday life, Free-time activities, Customs and Festivals in French-speaking countries/communities
Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest; Home, town, neighbourhood or region, Social issues, Global issues, Travel and Tourism
Theme 3: Current and future study and employment; My studies, Life at school/college, Education post-16, Jobs, career choices and ambitions
We will be using the AQA French Foundation/Higher textbook in lessons, as well as a range of other resources to support students with their further acquisition of French language and skills.
In year 10 students will study the topic of myself and my culture and will use the topic to increase their knowledge of key grammar points; the present tense, the perfect tense and the near future tense. They will be able to understand paragraphs and give short presentations about themselves or respond to visual stimulus. They will use will use the topic of my surroundings and other places to further their skills in listening reading, speaking and writing and increase their grammar knowledge further (simple future, imperfect tense and conditional).
In year 11 the more complex topics of school and future study and global issues will allow students to showcase the skills built up in KS3 and 4. Some students would use the subjunctive and real French expressions that are authentic to the French speakers.
How is French taught?
Language acquisition comes through regular recall of prior learning and the use of this to access fresh content. Students develop a wide range of language learning skills, such as dictionary skills, group work and the ability to work independently. Students support each other in teams and pairs and lead activities from the front of class to enhance leadership skills and resilience. Weekly vocabulary tests aid recall and memory.
In French, lessons will start with a retrieval activity that leads to the translation of short text. This enables the students to use and embed prior knowledge and vocabulary. Use of a language dictionary is used to support students when translating, as well as long term memory in developing Language-learning strategies, with a bank of vocabulary. This is used to contextualise the new learning that is about to take place. Students are to use the correct pronunciation and intonation, after coral drills and repetition students can answer questions
Continuing to develop techniques for memorising words, phrases and spellings. Students would listen for gist and detail of a text and answer questions. Adapt language they already know in new contexts and different purposes.
- Listen to a variety of forms of spoken language to obtain retrieval practice information to respond appropriately. Explore the patterns to obtain information and respond appropriately
- Write words and short sentences that they hear with increasing accuracy and meaning have a clear progressive outcomes to develop their understanding and challenging French expressions
- Initiate the use of modelling and develop conversations, coping with unfamiliar language and unexpected responses, making use of important social conventions such as formal modes of address.
- Express and develop ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy, providing scaffolding and resources both orally and in writing
- Speak coherently and confidently, with increasingly accurate pronunciation and intonation
- Engage in conversations; ask and answer questions; express opinions and respond to those of others; seek clarification and help to apply knowledge
- Read and show comprehension of original and adapted materials from a range of different sources, understanding the purpose, important ideas and details, and provide an accurate English translation of short, suitable material.
- Read literary texts in the language [such as stories, songs, poems and letters], to stimulate ideas, develop creative expression and expand understanding of the language and culture.
- Write long extended text independently using an increasingly wide range of grammar and vocabulary, write creatively to express their own ideas and opinions.
- Translate short written text accurately into French with practise and recall.
Home learning
Each Year group has a Homework booklet with each Module and Each Unit to enable them to complete tasks at home. Homework has an impact by enabling students to undertake independent learning to practise and consolidate skills, conduct in-depth inquiry, prepare for lessons or revise for exams and for assessments.
Homework develops study habits and independent learning. It also encourages learners to acquire resources such as dictionaries and grammar reference books. Research shows that homework also benefits factual knowledge, self-discipline, attitudes to learning and problem-solving skills.
