FRENCH FACULTY

Head of Faculty Miss K Davie kirsten.davie@castlephoenixtrust.org.uk

Lead Practitioner Mr N Guirguis nader.guirguis@castlephoenixtrust.org.uk

Introduction

Kingsbury School’s MFL team are committed to broadening pupils’ understanding of the world and developing strong, life-long linguistic skills. Along with learning new topics, reinforcing knowledge every lesson and providing plentiful opportunities to practice the target language is at the forefront of what we do.

Why it is important to study French?

  • Improve your chance of entry into college or university (it’s an EBacc subject)
  • Increase global understanding
  • Improve employment potential
  • Increase your understanding of your own language
  • Sharpen cognitive skills
  • Develop life skills (such as good communication)
  • Appreciate international literature, music and film
  • Make travel more feasible and enjoyable
  • Expand study abroad options
  •  Increase understanding of one’s own culture and of cultures around the world
  • Build self-confidence

What do we study in French?

Year 7

In year 7 we cover all of ‘the basics’ E.g. meeting and greeting, alphabet, numbers, age, dates, birthdays, colours, animals and family, expressing and justifying opinions.We then go on to explore the topics of C’est perso (talking about ourselves and others), Mon collège (talking about what we do at school), Mes passetemps (talking about what we do in our free time) and finally, Ma Zone (talking about where we live)

Year 8

In year 8 we build on our prior learning through the topics of T’es branché? (talking about TV, cinema, reading, internet and social media use), Paris, je t’adore (saying what you can do in Paris, asking for tourist information, saying what you have visited and what it was like), Mon identité (talking about personality and characteristics, music and clothes, using the past tense to describe what we did last weekend), Chez moi (describing your home and area, talking about food and meals, discussing forthcoming events) and Quel talent! (talking about talent and ambition, saying what you must and can do, giving instructions, describing personalities, saying who is best)

Year 9

In year 9 we talk about ourselves and others, going out and the use of social media in the topic of Ma Vie sociale d’ado and then learn body parts and about health, healthy eating and sport and fitness in the Bien dans sa peau topic. We also study the topics of À l’horizon (talking about jobs, future plans, ambitions and aspirations), Spécial Vacances (discussing holidays, holiday disasters, adventure activities and tourist attractions) and Moi dans le monde (discussing what you’re allowed to do, what is important to you and what makes you happy or worries you)

Throughout all years, we cover a wide range of grammar points which are re-visited and built on at regular intervals.

Year 10 and 11

Specification: AQAcode: 8658

The GCSE course is split into 3 themes:

  1. Identity and culture ( with the sub-themes of Me, my family and friends, Technology in everyday life, Free-time activities, Customs and festivals in French-speaking countries/communities)
  2. Local, national, international and global areas of interest (with the sub-cultures of Home, town, neighbourhood and region, Social issues, Global issues, Travel and tourism)
  3. Current and future study and employment (with the sub-themes of My studies, Life at school/college, Education post-16, Jobs, career choices and ambitions )

Again, grammar points are revised and expanded on throughout the course.

Assessment Overview

Useful Links