Subject Intent: Why French?
The French curriculum intends to deepen a curiosity and love of languages and other cultures, as well as develop an advanced understanding of how languages work. Through a focus on both culture and communication, we aim to foster a passion for exploring a foreign language and comparing it to our own. Language learning provides an insight into others’ countries and cultures and thus widens our intellectual horizons and promotes social mobility. We aim to broaden students’ knowledge and skills beyond the subject specification, exposing them to as much authentic material as possible. We aim to challenge our students to achieve a high level of communicative competence, thus not only developing literacy skills but also strengthening students’ resilience and problem-solving skills.
Through studying French students will see the benefits of travelling the world and will be offered the opportunity to visit and have first-hand experience of family life in France, therefore ensuring they have the skills to communicate and have meaningful and life changing experience.
What will I study?
Students will study interesting and important topics from a range of political, social and cultural themes all in relation to the French speaking world following the AQA A-level course:
- The changing role of the family.
- Cyber-society.
- The voluntary sector.
- Cultural heritage.
- Contemporary French music.
- French cinema.
- The positive aspects of a diverse society.
- The marginalised society.
- Crime and punishment.
- Young people and politics.
- Strikes and protests.
- Immigration.
French
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
Studying A level French will allow you to further develop the skills you have acquired at GCSE (listening, speaking, reading and writing). French is taught in a specialist language room giving students plenty of IT access to facilitate independently controlled listening practice (as in the A level exam). Grammar is an integral part of our lessons, and revision and support are provided in Year 12. You will be working in small groups, helping each other but also be challenged in order to build your confidence and proficiency in this subject.
As important as the language itself, you will also learn a lot about the culture of French speaking countries, studying for example music, cinema and festivals. As well as formal lessons, we offer speaking sessions in pairs or individually every week so that you become a confident speaker. You will have the opportunity to go to France for our annual study trip and to enrol in our “French films” enrichment club.
Studying A level French opens your mind to new cultures and ideas and allows you to become a better listener, speaker and problem solver.
What our
students
French gave me an insight into a whole other world. Not only was my knowledge of the language improved but I also learnt about the culture of French-Speaking countries.
Alice Burton, The Snaith School
