FRENCH

French and German are taught on an equal footing throughout KS3. two lessons of each language are taught from Years 7 – 9, three in Years 10 and 11 and six in Years 12 and 13. Students can opt to study either French or German for GCSE and some do both. Whilst a Modern Foreign Language is no longer compulsory in Years 10 and 11 the vast majority of Year 9 students opt to continue with at least one language. In the sixth form the numbers vary considerably from year to year. There are currently 15 in Year 12 studying French and 14 in Year 13.

In Years 7 – 9 we follow the “Tricolore Encore” course, which we have found most suitable for the different levels of ability within the mixed ability classes we teach. Class sizes vary from 30 to 32 at this stage. There is no setting in the KS3 language classes.
By the end of KS3 the very vast majority of pupils have reached level 6. some outstanding pupils achieve a level 7 and some les able pupils a 4 or 5. we ensure that all pupils whatever their ability reach their potential and this is reflected in these KS3 levels of attainment.

In Years 10 and 11 we take the AQA Modular French GCSE and use “Francoscope” as the main textbook. This course has proved both popular and successful and the GCSE results in French are amongst the top in the school.

In the sixth form we take the OCR French AS and A2 exams. The students are issued with a textbook – “Tout Droit” in Year 12 and “Droit au But” in Year 13 – but these are not the only resources used. Staff do a lot of personal research to ensure that the sixth form students receive the most up to date information on the many topics that have to be covered. Many students who study French at A level continue with the language at university.

Pupils in the lower school are encouraged to subscribe to a French magazine – “Allons-y!” or “Bonjour.” These publications are also available in the school library if students have not purchased their own copy. In the sixth form the school subscribes to several magazines and newspapers, which the Year 12 and 13 students use as a matter of routine. There is a room in the school library dedicated to foreign publications where students from all year groups can spend their free time reading and researching topics being covered in lessons.

Modern Languages have recently acquired a new Language Laboratory, which is used for a variety of skills. We have a wealth of material available on the lab for all year groups and we are continuing to add to these resources. The lab is used by all years but has most use by KS4 and KS5 classes.
Successful French exchanges have recently come to a standstill for various reasons but the possibility of taking a group of Year 8 students on a residential study visit some time during the academic year 2004/05 is now being organised. The sixth form have previously taken part in a work experience exchange organised by the Warwickshire Education and Business Partnership. Unfortunately this was cancelled this year but it is hoped that it will be reinstated next year.

Every alternate year we have a French assistant whose time is spent primarily with the sixth form helping to prepare students for their oral exams. The assistant’s time is also used with KS4 classes as they prepare for their Module 1 and 3 speaking assessments.

The department has a long history of success and high standards are expected of all students by all language staff. Members of the department are expected to maintain these high standards and strive to get the best out of each individual. There are regular departmental meetings both formal and informal. Members of the department work very closely together sharing ideas and good practice. Members of the department are expected to contribute to the work of the department bringing a variety of skills and approaches as well as taking some responsibility for development work within the department. In addition to in-house training, staff are encouraged to attend externally run courses to develop their skills and further their career. The most valued qualities in members of the department are teaching ability, sound levels of classroom control, knowledge, enthusiasm for the subject and the ability to pass this enthusiasm to the pupils. The ability to use ICT is essential. Commitment, organisation and academic excellence allied to an engaging but firm teaching style are prime considerations in order to maintain the department’s standing and help in moving the department forward in the future. A sense of optimism and humour and the ability to work hard are also essential. Staff in the department nor
mally teach in all three key stages but this is not essential.

Aims

• To develop the ability to use the language effectively for practical communication.
• To form a sound base of the skills, language and attitudes needed for further study, work, and leisure.
• To develop an awareness of language and language learning.
• To provide enjoyment at the same time as intellectual stimulation.
• To give insights into the culture and civilisation of the countries where the language is spoken.
• To encourage positive attitudes to learning foreign languages and to speakers of foreign languages.
• To promote learning of skills of more general application – analyses, memorising, drawing of references for example.

Objectives

To achieve theses aims learners will need opportunities:

• To use the language for communicating and to talk and think about how they use the language.
• To communicate for genuine purposes in guided and open situations.
• To work individually, in pairs and in groups of varying sizes.
• To develop equally the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and to use them in combination with each other.
• To think about how they learn, to develop their ability to learn effectively and over a period of time to learn with increasing independence.
• To understand what and how they are learning and how they are being assessed.
• To focus on language learning skills and language awareness (including applied grammar).
• To use a wide range of resources including cassette recorder, course book, worksheets, videos.
• To have access to authentic materials for reading and listening purposes.
• To come into contact with relevant and interesting subject matter to them as young people.
• To progress in range and sophistication of content what they encounter and in the degree of language, study and thinking skills that they acquire.
• To consider the culture, geography and history of the countries being studied and to compare them with their own.
• To benefit from real links between exchange schools.
• To have access to native speakers.

Accommodation

There are 2 French teaching rooms in the Jubilee Block – Rooms 9 and 10. CMC is based in Room 9 and DCH in Room 10. Other subject areas use this room too. PRN teaches his Year 8 French class in Room 7 which is his base. Year 12 and 13 lessons are taught in Room 68 or the language laboratory (Room 67). There is a large store cupboard in Room 10 where all text books, exercise books, old texts, the fast copier and tape recorders/CD players are kept. Room 9 has a lockable cupboard where the “Jaime Ecouter” resources are kept as well as spare exercises books and the like for CMC’s classes.

The language Office is in the Sixth Form Centre and this is where all the GCSE, AS and A2 materials are kept as well as all the administration for the department. The office is used for small meetings and for the GCSE Module 1an 3 speaking tests.

The language lab is a real asset for KS4 and KS5 classes but its size makes it less practical with KS3 classes. There are 24 computers on a good day plus the teacher’s. There is also a whiteboard. The majority of KS3 classes are c.30 pupils.

The software we have on the system is good but access is not always possible. I have finally managed to negotiate a timetabled enabling all KS3 classes to used the lab once per half term. Once a month would be better but not feasible at the moment. This is rather ironic as it was built as a language lab yet we do not always have first option to use it. ?KS4 and KS5 classes have priority and we are able to timetable these into the lab when the rooming timetabled is completed in late June/early July.