French

C6th 123SUBJECT INTRODUCTION

Head of Department: Clemence Daudu

Staff Contact Details: Muriel Delcroix-Jones

The Modern Foreign Languages department at Christ’s School aims to inspire a love of language learning and an awareness and acceptance of different cultures. 

The languages department has four large classrooms and one smaller break out room. Each classroom is fitted with an interactive white board.

The department is well-equipped with the latest text books and subscriptions to a number of online language sites. The department often makes use of the library and computer rooms to support the students’ learning.

Studying a language to A level helps students to develop a deeper understanding not only of the linguistics, but also the history and culture of the countries that speak the language. Students will develop critical thinking, creativity, independence and skills of analysis.

CURRICULUM

Over the two year course, students focus on 4 main themes:

  • Changes in French society

  • Political and artistic culture in francophone countries

  • Immigration and multicultural French society

  • Occupation and Resistance

Students also study one film (Intouchables, 2011) and one novel (No et moi, Delphine de Vigan).

At the end of your second year, students take three exams:

Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation (French to English). 40% of the total marks available.

Paper 2: Written response to works and translation (English to French). This paper requires two essays, each about 275-350 words (one about the film studied and one about the book). 30% of the total marks available.

Paper 3: Speaking. This consists of two tasks; task 1 is a discussion on a sub-theme studied and task 2 is a presentation of independent research, follow by a discussion. 30% of the total marks available

ENRICHMENT & EXTRA-CURRICULAR

The department organises a number trips to France each year. 

For pupils studying French in the Sixth Form we are organising a work experience exchange with our link schools in Le Havre. The pupils will work as foreign language assistants for a week and stay with their exchange partners.

We also take pupils on trips in this country such as to the British Airways languages centre at Heathrow and to courses put on by universities and the French institute.

All the trips we organise are very popular with our pupils and have a very positive impact on their learning.

Careers

It’s possible to study modern languages either as a single honours degree or alongside another subject as a joint honours degree. Common joint honours choices often remain within the humanities, including subjects such as politics, history and literature, but modern languages can also be combined with subjects such as chemistry or mathematics, for those wishing to keep their options as broad as possible.

A language degree can qualify graduates to work in education, translation, interpretation, tourism, trade, PR, communications and management. Many government jobs require language skills, particularly in the sectors of immigration and diplomacy. All sorts of career destinations- doctors, psychologists and physiotherapists need language skills to communicate effectively with patients whether they work in the UK or overseas; businessmen, bankers and entrepreneurs all need language skills to make deals and sell products on the global market. Politicians, historians, geographers and holiday reps all need language skills to get to know the people and area that they are passionate about. Languages are an invaluable skill to have.

Studies show that having a language can increase your salary from 8 to 20% and give you a head start on other potential employees as by speaking another language you’re vital to any company that does international business. Furthermore a language is also a prerequisite for lots of university courses.

EXAM BOARD

Exam Board: Edexcel https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/french-2016.html
Course Code: 9FR0

Specification:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/French/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/Specification_GCE_A_level_L3_in_French.pdf

Past papers:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/french-2016.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=category:Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification-and-sample-assessments

LINKS & RESOURCES

The school subscribes to a number of websites that support our pupils’ learning:

There are also some free resources which you may find useful:

  • 10:15 AM - 21st September, 2023 We're recruiting for a Learning Support Assistant. Visit the school website for more information and the application form. Send completed forms to hr.school. Closing date: 9am, Monday, 2 October 2023 Read more pic.twitter.com/0zTNzX0cOJ
  • 10:11 AM - 21st September, 2023 6th Form Win! Christ’s Sixth Form Football Team beat Grey Court 4-1 in tonight’s league fixture!MoM Gabriel I-S pic.twitter.com/7VRfFV02bw
  • 04:01 PM - 5th September, 2023 If you have not received your invitation link for the new MCAS app, please email info.school pic.twitter.com/unwOzekN2l
  • 01:34 PM - 4th September, 2023 We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Christ's School: Year 7 start at 8:30am on Tuesday 5th SeptemberYear 12 start at 10am on Tuesday 5th SeptemberYear 8-11 and Year 13 should return for an 8:30am start on Wednesday 6th September pic.twitter.com/uH8MInAgue
  • 01:02 PM - 24th August, 2023 Christ's School students celebrate GCSE success. Click to find out more: Read more pic.twitter.com/fAYFyGxKCj
  • 01:19 PM - 17th August, 2023 Christ's Students Celebrate Fantastic A Level Results. Click to read more: Read more pic.twitter.com/5OHYXdl3Gf
  • 10:31 AM - 9th August, 2023 A reminder for new year 7 students joining us in September; your homework is to send Mrs Dixon a postcard from whatever you have been doing this summer. We're looking forward to reading about all the interesting places you have been and things you have been doing. pic.twitter.com/9ONrWqGoAa
  • 08:17 AM - 8th August, 2023 Our Year 12 Religious Studies A level Study Day with & St Saviour’s & St Olave’s School. A visit to , home of Borough Food Coop to hear of practical action with roots in Jesus’ love. pic.twitter.com/W0aG8MMyhh
  • 10:44 AM - 27th July, 2023 If you have a child joining us in September or are wanting to refresh a current student's pencil case, please see the equipment list below pic.twitter.com/3AydgSjhIe
  • 04:21 PM - 17th July, 2023 REMINDER tomorrow is Sports Day! All Students to meet at St Mary’s University Track at 08.15am. Wear PE Kit. Bring lunch, snacks, drinks, any medication required, rain jacket and sun protection. Approx finish time 2-2.30pm pic.twitter.com/wdUINAEc39
  • 10:05 AM - 6th July, 2023 Do you know someone who is considering going into teaching, recently graduated or looking for a new job? Why not apply to be a cover supervisor? The role involves covering lessons in a teacher's absence using resources provided by the teacher. Read more pic.twitter.com/NncTLgDXZD
  • 07:21 PM - 4th July, 2023 Reminder that we have two strike days this week. Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th July. School will be closed, and students should log on to Google Classroom for live lessons from any staff who are not striking. pic.twitter.com/6BISGNjJg2