French

 Staff

  • Ms Labarbe - Head of Department
  • Ms C Martel – Teacher of French 
  • Ms B Ndengue - Teacher of French

Norlington Reads in French 

Curriculum Overview


Curriculum Overview

 Year 7 Curriculum outline

Pupils are introduced to the key grammatical features of the language through the coverage of vocabulary topics. At the end of year 7, they should have a grasp of grammar and key concepts along with knowledge of enough vocabulary to be able to communicate simple messages on familiar topics.

Key concepts and grammatical points in year7
Gender, word order, the concept of verb declension and the negative form

Year 8 Curriculum outline
Pupils consolidate the key grammatical features of the language learnt in year 7 through the learning of new vocabulary and are introduced to 2 new time frames. At the end of year 8, they should be able to recognise these 3 time frames and should be able to use 2 tenses with at least 2 subject pronouns.

Key concepts and grammatical points in year 8
Consolidation of the present tense including reflexive and modal verbs and the perfect tense with different pronouns.

Year 9 Curriculum outline
Pupils consolidate their prior knowledge throughout the year and learn more complex features of the language as well as the future tense.
At the end of year 9 they should be able to use 3 different tenses and show an understanding of a range of grammatical rules.

Key concepts and grammatical points in year 9
Consolidation of present and perfect tense, introduction of the future tense and application of a wider set of grammatical rules in different contexts.

The SMSC part of the KS3 Curriculum should give pupils a better understanding of different cultures and encourage tolerance.
Sample of SMSC activities:

  • They will have the opportunity to reflect on the effects of colonialism and the slave trade( Yr 8 cycle 4) and will complete work on racial and cultural bias (yr9 cycle 4)
  • Cultural capital: paintings by Fernand Léger(Yr7 cycle 6), Théodore Gericault( yr8 cycle 4) and French impressionists (yr 7 cycle 4), original songs from different French speaking countries throughout KS3...
  • Differences and similarities between languages through French proverbs and idioms (yr 7 cycle 5/yr 8 cycle 5 and yr 9 cycle 2) and regular references to word etymology in lessons.
  • Literary sources : poem by Léopold Senghor(yr 8 cycle 4), fable by Jean de la Fontaine( yr 7 cycle 2), passages from the Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas (Yr9 cycle 3)

 

KS4-GCSE French Course outline

Yr 10 and yr 11 pupils will be covering 3 themes throughout KS4.

Theme 1 : Identity and Culture
Theme 2 : Local, national, international and global areas of interest
Theme 3 : Current and future study and employment

 

The GCSE course consists of 4 different exams

Skill Content of Exam Weight
Listening
35min(Foundation)
45 min( higher)
Exam testing pupils’ comprehension of the spoken language. 25%
Speaking
7-9 min (Foundation)
10-12 min(Higher)
1 roleplay
1 photocard
General conversation
25%
Reading
45mn (Foundation)
1hr(Higher)
Exam testing pupils’ comprehension of the written language 25%
Writing
1hr (Foundation)
1hr15min (Higher)
Exam including translation tasks and short and extensive writing. 25%