Learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster students’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. Learning French will enable students to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to questions, both verbally and in writing. Language learning in KS3 will provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping students with vocabulary memorisation strategies, reading strategies and confidence to work both individually and in groups.
The national curriculum for languages aims to ensure that all pupils:
understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources
speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation
can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures that they have learnt
discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied.
By the end of key stage 3, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the programme of study.
All students in KS3 study French and have three 45-minute lessons per week.
Inspired by the Framework for teaching modern foreign languages (2003), the French Department envisages that:
● In Year 7, students receive a firm foundation in what will be for most their first year of foreign language learning.
● In Year 8, the objectives reflect this secure start and promote acceleration in language acquisition.
● In Year 9, the objectives are designed to promote students’ independence as language learners
In Year 7-8-9, students will learn all of the basics of the language or build on their existing knowledge if they have studied French before. To support our lessons, we follow the Tricolore Total scheme of work. This is aligned to the British National Curriculum and provides an assortment of resources to enthuse, challenge and stretch. It goes beyond the minimum objectives established for KS3. Grammar progression is detailed and demanding, making sure learners acquire the tools they need to become self-reliant and self-assured linguists. Units include nice chunks of reading material, vocabulary lists, grammar explanation boxes and boxes highlighting points of French phonology.
Please see our Programme of Study and list of all essential vocabulary for each unit : Scheme of Work - Year 7 - French
Please see our Programme of Study and list of all essential vocabulary for each unit : Scheme of Work - Year 8 - French
Please see our Programme of Study and list of all essential vocabulary for each unit : Scheme of Work - Year 9 - French
*Some Year 9 students will be on the accelerated programme and will follow the Year 10 Programme of Study. Please see our KS4 page for more details.
Teaching of French should build on the foundations of language learning laid at key stage 2, whether pupils continue with the same language or take up a new one. Teaching should focus on developing the breadth and depth of pupils’ competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing, based on a sound foundation of core grammar and vocabulary. It should enable pupils to understand and communicate personal and factual information that goes beyond their immediate needs and interests, developing and justifying points of view in speech and writing, with increased spontaneity, independence and accuracy. It should provide suitable preparation for further study.
identify and use tenses or other structures which convey the present, past, and future as appropriate to the language being studied
use and manipulate a variety of key grammatical structures and patterns, including voices and moods, as appropriate
develop and use a wide-ranging and deepening vocabulary that goes beyond their immediate needs and interests, allowing them to give and justify opinions and take part in discussion about wider issues
use accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation.
listen to a variety of forms of spoken language to obtain information and respond appropriately
transcribe words and short sentences that they hear with increasing accuracy
initiate and develop conversations, coping with unfamiliar language and unexpected responses, making use of important social conventions such as formal modes of address
express and develop ideas clearly and with increasing accuracy, both orally and in writing
speak coherently and confidently, with increasingly accurate pronunciation and intonation
read and show comprehension of original and adapted materials from a range of different sources, understanding the purpose, important ideas and details, and provide an accurate English translation of short, suitable material
read literary texts in the language [such as stories, songs, poems and letters], to stimulate ideas, develop creative expression and expand understanding of the language and culture
write prose using an increasingly wide range of grammar and vocabulary, write creatively to express their own ideas and opinions, and translate short written text accurately into the foreign language.