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French

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Please select the relevant Year group for more information on the curriculum.

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Assessment Sheets

Curriculum Intent

Learning a foreign language provides an opening to cultures and places beyond our own: Our aim is to provide a high-quality languages education that fosters pupils’ curiosity and deepens their knowledge of the world, with our curriculum focusing on French and Spanish-speaking countries. Students will follow a 5 year language learning journey where they will learn how to express their ideas and opinions in another language and to understand and respond to others, both in speech and in writing. Furthermore, pupils will learn to communicate for practical purposes, for example giving and understanding directions in Year 7, ordering food and drink in Year 8 and making social plans in Year 9. In KS3 and KS4, students will continuously develop their understanding of the world of work through the discussion of careers and aspirations. Throughout their 5 year language learning journey, they will learn how to access authentic texts and spoken language. With regular practice of speaking and translation, students will be better prepared for future language learning.  We also provide the MFL extra curricular club where we explore a variety of languages and cultures through media, games and quizzes.

Year 7 French

Year 7 French

Number of lessons a fortnight: 5

 

Aims of the course:

  • Develop their ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and writing, conveying what they want to say with increasing accuracy.
  • Express and develop thoughts and ideas spontaneously and fluently.
  • Listen to and understand clearly articulated, standard speech at near normal speed.
  • Deepen their knowledge about how language works and enrich their vocabulary in order for them to increase their independent use and understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts.
  • Acquire new knowledge, skills and ways of thinking through the ability to understand and respond to a rich range of authentic spoken and written material, adapted and abridged, as appropriate, including literary texts.
  • Develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities where the language is spoken.
  • Be encouraged to make appropriate links to other areas of the curriculum to enable bilingual and deeper learning, where the language may become a medium for constructing and applying knowledge.
  • Develop language-learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare them for further language study and use in school, higher education or employment.
  • Develop language strategies, including repair strategies.

 

Content; Skills / Knowledge:

Students will be tested on Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening and Translation (from English to French, and from French to English). They will look at the present, simple past and near future tenses, talking about themselves and others – using opinions, negative structures and being able to ask questions.

 

Autumn term   

Half term 1: Introductions to French

  • Greetings
  • Counting
  • Days of week and months
  • School items
  • Likes and dislikes
  • Colours and animals
  • Family

Half term 2: Personality/school

  • Talking about myself
  • School subjects + opinions/reasons
  • Telling the time
  • What we do at school

 

Spring term

Half term 1: My hobbies

  • Computer/phone activities
  • Sports (incl. negatives)
  • Weather/relating activities
  • Opinions about hobbies
  • Talking about other people

Half term 2: My local area

  • Where I live
  • Locations
  • Frequency/Activities
  • Invitations
  • What you can do there

 

Summer term  

Half term 1: Holidays

  • Where I/we go
  • Getting myself ready to go out (reflexive verbs)
  • Ordering food/drinks
  • Plans/future tense
  • My plans, dreams/conditional tense

Half term 2: Wrap-up half term

This half term is an opportunity to be flexible – that is to say it can be spent on reviewing areas already covered and/or any of the following:

  • Mastery of grammar
  • Linguistics – wider understanding
  • Project work (social, cultural, historical)
  • Preparation for Year 8

 

Assessment

Each half term students will be tested on all skill areas – most in a formal test at the end of the half term. Half-way through the half term there will be a vocabulary test (from English to French), out of 15. If the pass mark is not achieved, the same test will be re-sat soon after to ensure that excellent progress is being made with the language (N.B. intervention will be put into place here if needed). At the end of each half term, there will be a Reading and Listening paper and then a Translation from English to French - followed by a Writing OR Speaking assessment. Students will receive the Writing/Speaking task scenario in advance – but will not know the exact contents until the day of the test. Questions will be in French and responses will need to show-off each student’s current ability.

A percentage score will be awarded each half term, alongside a GCSEgrade. Please note that MFL grades are normally lower in Year 7 than other subjects due to most having not studied the subject before Year 7 – however their progress normally accelerates faster than other subjects in Years 8/9, this bringing potential in-line with other subjects.

 

How can parents help?

Encouragement to complete regular revision of course content.  Revision should not simply mean ‘reading over the notes made in class’: effective revision takes many forms, but apart from creating posters or practising to words out from memory, the most popular method amongst students is the creation of flashcards/post-it notes (where one side has the French word and the other has the translation in English).  This allows family and friends to get involved, as you can turn this into a game.  Start by verbally translating from French to English, then swap and do it the other way.  Over time you can create a difficult/easy pile, and label each pile up with sub-topic titles.  The final stage of this process should always be writing the words out into French, and checking the spelling/overall accuracy of the translation.

Use of the online Active Learn facility.  Each student has their own login details and should look to revise using this website on a regular basis.  This resource has a track record of supporting students and is subscribed to by the school – so please use it!

Reminder of the reasons why learning a language is a brilliant thing to do:  To increase global understanding; To improve employment potential; To increase native language ability; To sharpen cognitive and life skills; Creating a brighter future for you and your loved ones; To appreciate international literature, music, art and film; To make travel more feasible and enjoyable; To expand study, live and work abroad options; To increase understanding of oneself and one’s own culture; To make lifelong friends through travel and enhanced communication.

Year 8 French

Year 8 French

Number of Lessons a fortnight: 5

 

Aims of the Course

  • develop their ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and writing, conveying what they want to say with increasing accuracy
  • express and develop thoughts and ideas spontaneously and fluently
  • listen to and understand clearly articulated, standard speech at near normal speed
  • deepen their knowledge about how language works and enrich their vocabulary in order for them to increase their independent use and understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts
  • acquire new knowledge, skills and ways of thinking through the ability to understand and respond to a rich range of authentic spoken and written material, adapted and abridged, as appropriate, including literary texts
  • develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities where the language is spoken
  • be encouraged to make appropriate links to other areas of the curriculum to enable bilingual and deeper learning, where the language may become a medium for constructing and applying knowledge
  • develop language-learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare them for further language study and use in school, higher education or employment
  • develop language strategies, including repair strategies.

 

Content / Skills / Knowledge

Students will be tested on Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening and Translation (from English to French, and from French to English).  They will look at the present, simple past and near future tenses, talking about themselves and others – using opinions, negative structures and being able to ask questions.

 

Autumn Term

  1. Free time activities

  • Talk about TV programmes
  • Talk about different genres of film
  • Talk about different types of book
  • Say what you do on the internet, with opinions and frequency
  1. Paris

  • Talk about what I/we did in Paris
  • Say when I/we did them
  • Describe what something was like
  • Say where I went/how I got there
  • Ask questions about past events

 

Spring Term

  1. My identity

  • Talk about personality
  • Ask questions about character traits
  • Describe my best friend
  • Say how I pass my time
  • Talk about relationships with others
  • Say what music I like/dislike, with opinions and reasons
  • Say what I normally wear
  • Say what I am going to wear
  1. My local area

  • Describe where I live
  • Describe my home
  • Explain where things are
  • Say what I have for breakfast
  • Describe mealtimes in my family
  • Discuss what food to buy
  • Say how much to buy
  • Describe going to an event

 

Summer Term

  1. Talent shows

  • Talk about talent/ambitions
  • Encourage/persuade someone
  • Tell someone what to do/not to do
  • Talk about ‘the best’, ‘the most’ and ‘the least’
  1. Wrap-up half term

This half term is an opportunity to be flexible – that is to say it can be spent on reviewing areas already covered and/or any of the following:

  • Mastery of grammar

  • Linguistics – wider understanding

  • Project work (social, cultural, historical)

  • Preparation for Year 9

 

Assessment

Each half term students will be tested on all skill areas – most in a formal test at the end of the half term.  Half-way through the half term there will be a vocabulary test (from English to French), out of 15.  If the pass mark is not achieved, the same test will be re-sat soon after to ensure that excellent progress is being made with the language (N.B.  intervention will be put into place here if needed).  At the end of each half term, there will be a Reading and Listening paper and then a Translation from English to French - followed by a Writing OR Speaking assessment.  Students will receive the Writing/Speaking task scenario in advance – but will not know the exact contents until the day of the test.  Questions will be in French and responses will need to show-off each student’s current ability.

A percentage score will be awarded each half term, alongside a GCSEgrade.  Please note that MFL grades are normally lower in Year 8 than other subjects due to most having not studied the subject before Year 7 – however their progress normally accelerates faster than other subjects in Years 8/9, this bringing potential in-line with other subjects.

 

How can parents help?

Encouragement to complete regular revision of course content.  Revision should not simply mean ‘reading over the notes made in class’: effective revision takes many forms, but apart from creating posters or practising to words out from memory, the most popular method amongst students is the creation of flashcards/post-it notes (where one side has the French word and the other has the translation in English).  This allows family and friends to get involved, as you can turn this into a game.  Start by verbally translating from French to English, then swap and do it the other way.  Over time you can create a difficult/easy pile, and label each pile up with sub-topic titles.  The final stage of this process should always be writing the words out into French, and checking the spelling/overall accuracy of the translation.

Use of the online Active Learn facility.  Each student has their own login details and should look to revise using this website on a regular basis.  This resource has a track record of supporting students and is subscribed to by the school – so please use it!

Reminder of the reasons why learning a language is a brilliant thing to do:  1. To increase global understanding; To improve employment potential; To increase native language ability; To sharpen cognitive and life skills; Creating a brighter future for you and your loved ones; To appreciate international literature, music, art and film; To make travel more feasible and enjoyable; To expand study, live and work abroad options; To increase understanding of oneself and one’s own culture; To make lifelong friends through travel and enhanced communication.

 

Year 9 French

Year 9 French 

Number of Lessons a fortnight: 5

 

Aims of the Course 

  • develop their ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and writing, conveying what they want to say with increasing accuracy 
  • express and develop thoughts and ideas spontaneously and fluently 
  • listen to and understand clearly articulated, standard speech at near normal speed 
  • deepen their knowledge about how language works and enrich their vocabulary in order for them to increase their independent use and understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts 
  • acquire new knowledge, skills and ways of thinking through the ability to understand and respond to a rich range of authentic spoken and written material, adapted and abridged, as appropriate, including literary texts 
  • develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities where the language is spoken 
  • be encouraged to make appropriate links to other areas of the curriculum to enable bilingual and deeper learning, where the language may become a medium for constructing and applying knowledge 
  • develop language-learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare them for further language study and use in school, higher education or employment
  • develop language strategies, including repair strategies.

 

Content / Skills / Knowledge 

Students will be tested on Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening and Translation (from English to French, and from French to English). They will look at the present, simple past and near future tenses, talking about themselves and others – using opinions, negative structures and being able to ask questions. 

  • Using Facebook/social media 
  • Arranging future plans 
  • Describing a past date 
  • Body parts/sport 
  • Talk about fitness and healthy living 
  • Describing jobs 
  • Using multiple tenses 
  • Discussing holidays/past experiences 
  • My rights 
  • What makes us happy 
  • Talking about our concerns 

 

Autumn Term 

1) Ma Vie Socialed’ado 

  • Using Facebook/social media 
  • Arranging future plans 
  • Describing a past date 

2) Health and Wellbeing 

  • Learning the parts of the body 
  • Talking about sport 
  • Healthy eating 
  • Being fit and healthy 

 

Spring Term 

1) My Future plans 

  • Describing and comparing jobs 
  • Why learn a language 
  • Talking about my past 
  • Comparing my past and my future 

2) My Holidays 

  • Describe holidays 
  • Imagine adventure holidays 
  • Plan what to take on holiday 
  • Describe what happened on holiday 
  • Describe visiting a tourist attraction 

 

Summer Term 

1) My position in the world 

  • Discuss what you are allowed to do 
  • Explain what is important to you 
  • Talk about things you bury 
  • Describe what makes you happy 

2) Wrap-up half term 

This half term is an opportunity to be flexible – that is to say it can be spent on reviewing areas already covered and/or any of the following: 

  • Mastery of grammar 
  • Linguistics – wider understanding 
  • Project work (social, cultural, historical) 
  • Preparation for Year 10 

 

Assessment 

Each half term students will be tested on all skill areas – most in a formal test at the end of the half term. Half-way through the half term there will be a vocabulary test (from English to French), out of 15. If the pass mark is not achieved, the same test will be re-sat soon after to ensure that excellent progress is being made with the language (N.B. intervention will be put into place here if needed). At the end of each half term, there will be a Reading and Listening paper and then a Translation from English to French - followed by a Writing OR Speaking assessment. Students will receive the Writing/Speaking task scenario in advance – but will not know the exact contents until the day of the test. Questions will be in French and responses will need to show-off each student’s current ability. 

A percentage score will be awarded each half term, alongside a GCSEgrade. Please note that MFL grades are normally lower in Year 8 than other subjects due to most having not studied the subject before Year 7 – however their progress normally accelerates faster than other subjects in Years 8/9, this bringing potential in-line with other subjects. 

 

How can parents help? 

Encouragement to complete regular revision of course content. Revision should not simply mean ‘reading over the notes made in class’: effective revision takes many forms, but apart from creating posters or practising to words out from memory, the most popular method amongst students is the creation of flashcards/post-it notes (where one side has the French word and the other has the translation in English). This allows family and friends to get involved, as you can turn this into a game. Start by verbally translating from French to English, then swap and do it the other way. Over time you can create a difficult/easy pile, and label each pile up with sub-topic titles. The final stage of this process should always be writing the words out into French, and checking the spelling/overall accuracy of the translation. 

Use of the online Active Learn facility. Each student has their own login details and should look to revise using this website on a regular basis. This resource has a track record of supporting students and is subscribed to by the school – so please use it! 

Reminder of the reasons why learning a language is a brilliant thing to do: 1. To increase global understanding; To improve employment potential; To increase native language ability; To sharpen cognitive and life skills; Creating a brighter future for you and your loved ones; To appreciate international literature, music, art and film; To make travel more feasible and enjoyable; To expand study, live and work abroad options; To increase understanding of oneself and one’s own culture; To make lifelong friends through travel and enhanced communication.

French KS3/KS4 Curriculum Plan

KS3 French Vocabulary lists

KS4 GCSE At A Glance

KS4 Vocabulary Learning Strategies

KS4 GCSE Specification

KS4 French GCSE Vocabulary List

MFL Youtube Videos

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