French GCSE Options Information

What is the main aim of the course?

The course aims to develop cultural appreciation, knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and the ability to manipulate language both verbally and in the written format. Ultimately we want our students to be able to hold conversations and write short pieces expressing their views on a range of interesting topics.

What will you learn?

At KS4 our students begin the study of the GCSE topics via the exploration of the three themes which are; identity and culture, local, national and international areas of interest and current and future study and employment.

Over the two year course they will continue to build on their learning from KS3 with a reinforcement of the basics and the four key skills. Students will continue to delve into more challenging grammar and start to use a wider variety of tenses in their writing and speaking and also develop comprehension skills with more complex reading and listening tasks. Students will be challenged in the classroom with the use of target language to build their comprehension, they will also be encouraged to speak in the target language themselves building their linguistic communicative skills. 

In addition to this we want to give students some practical skills they can take beyond the academic setting such as an understanding of food, directions, places in the town and other useful life skills that can be used when travelling abroad such as hotel and restaurant bookings.

We want our students to become competent linguists who go on to travel and study languages at an advanced level.   

How is the course assessed?

Students will be continually assessed on four skills throughout Year 10 and Year 11 which are speaking, reading, listening, and writing. These are all equally weighted on their GCSE exams at 25% each.

How does this course connect to the world of work and allow students to reach ambitious destinations?

Languages are considered vital for fostering effective international co-operation and commercial links, as well as improving educational performance, cognitive function and skills, opportunity and intercultural understanding.

As a subject it is highly regarded by universities and students that have studied A level French at W6 at SRWA have gone on to study languages at Kent University and most recently Oxford. Beyond university, languages can lead to a range of exciting career opportunities such as being a translator, interpreter, academic researcher, political risk analyst, international lawyer and teacher.

Who do you need to contact if you have any further questions about this course?

Miss M Lautier, mlautier@srwa.woodard.co.uk.