Here at The Crossley Heath School we really value languages and language learning. Students at Key Stage 3 learn both French and German, and it is compulsory for students to continue to learn at least one Modern Foreign Language at Key Stage 4. We also offer German at A-Level and French is taught in the A-level C6 arrangement at Brighouse. German is spoken by over 130 million speakers and, due to the size and importance of its economy, is one of the most commonly used languages in business. French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and is an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO and NATO. At a time of considerable political change in Europe and against the back-drop of a national decline in language learners, we give every single Crossley Heath student the chance to learn a foreign language and to recognise the wide-ranging benefits which learning a foreign language brings.

Language learning significantly enhances communication skills. We promote pair and group work and develop in our students the ability to express themselves clearly and listen to others. We aim to build the confidence in our students so that they feel happy to converse with native speakers when on foreign visits or holidays. Students are also encouraged to work independently and use their initiative to solve problems by making connections between French, German and English. Therefore, through learning French and German, students also have an improved understanding of English.

Through our study of topics such as Festivals and Traditions, we foster an understanding of different cultures and an appreciation and tolerance of difference. We require students to take risks and to work outside of their comfort zone, for example by talking to our foreign intern students, by taking part in our foreign language talent show or by participating in our highly successful exchange programme.

These skills are valued by universities and employers. Languages are used and can be helpful in lots of different jobs not only translation, interpreting or teaching. In fact, many employers reward people with language skills with extra salary because they know they are essential in today’s international business world. Therefore, we aim to dispel the myth that English is enough.

Grammar is taught explicitly from the start of Year 7, as our objective is to ensure that students can use the language accurately but also manipulate it creatively. Lessons are engaging and are taught by highly-skilled and enthusiastic subject specialists who are passionate about languages. Teachers use a range of activities including games, songs and languages websites to suit different abilities and learning styles. Lessons are conducted in French and German and students are expected to communicate with each other and their teachers in the language. The four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are practised as well as translation skills and, later, the ability to paraphrase and summarise. Students enjoy learning French and German at The Crossley Heath School, succeed highly in their exams and value the opportunities these subjects provide.

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French at Key Stage 3

	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3
Year 7	Module 1: La rentrée Greetings and say name Alphabet Numbers and say age Months and say birthday Objects in the classroom Likes and dislikes Genders Present Tense regular -er verbs Avoir Etre Adjectives Module 2: En classe Colours Telling the time School subjects Uniform School day Schools in France Negatives and Adjectives	Module 2: En classe (continued) Module 3 Mon temps libre Seasons and weather Sports Other leisure activities Activities on mobile phone jouer à, faire de, verb faire, aimer + infinitive, forming questions	Module 4: La vie de famille Pets Family members House Breakfast Bastille day possessive adjectives, -er verbs, partitive articl
Year 8	Module 1: Vive les vacances (Holidays) Revision of present tense avoir + être Perfect Tense Module 2: J’adore les fêtes (Festivals) Present tense of –ir and –re verbs; revision of -er verbs; Near future tense	Module 2: J’adore les fêtes (continued) Module 3: A loisir (Leisure activities) Revision of adjective agreement; revise forming questions; using negatives	Module 4: Le monde est petit (Describe where you live and daily routine) pouvoir, reflexive verbs, preceding adjectives
Year 9	Module 1 (10 weeks): Retour vers le futur (Return to the Future) Revision of near future tense Revision of modals pouvoir+devoir Learn Future tense Learn modal verb vouloir Learn pour+infinitive Module 2 (10 weeks): Quand j’étais jeune (When I was young) Revise Perfect and Present tense Learn Imperfect tense Revise the comparative	Module 2: Quand j’étais jeune (When I was young) (Continued) Module 3 (10 weeks): Le Meilleur des mondes (A better world) Revision of negatives Learn the superlative Learn the Conditional tense	Module 3: Le Meilleur des mondes (A better world) (Continued) Module 4 (7-8 weeks): Project on the Francophone world

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GCSE Curriculum

Our objective for GCSE is to enable students of all abilities to develop their French language skills to their full potential, equipping them with the knowledge to communicate in a variety of contexts with confidence.

We firmly believe in the benefits that learning a language can bring; it is a skill for life and something students should enjoy and find rewarding.

The course covers three distinct themes. These themes apply to all four question papers.

Students are expected to understand and provide information and opinions about these themes relating to their own experiences and those of other people, including people in countries/communities where French is spoken. Students are also taught grammatical skills throughout the course to enable them to communicate clearly.

Theme 1: Identity and culture

Topic 1: Me, my family and friends

• Relationships with family and friends
• Marriage/partnership

Topic 2: Technology in everyday life

• Social media
• Mobile technology

Topic 3: Free-time activities

• Music
• Cinema and TV
• Food and eating out
• Sport

Topic 4: Customs and festivals in French/German-speaking countries/communities

Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest

Topic 1: Home, town, neighbourhood and region

Topic 2: Social issues

• Charity/voluntary work
• Healthy/unhealthy living

Topic 3: Global issues

• The environment
• Poverty/homelessness

Topic 4: Travel and tourism

Theme 3: Current and future study and employment

Topic 1: My studies

Topic 2: Life at school/college

Topic 3: Education post-16

Topic 4: Jobs, career choices and ambitions

Assessment

GCSE French has a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier. All question papers must be taken in the same series.

Paper 1: Listening (25% of GCSE)

Understanding and responding to different types of spoken language. Questions in English and French

35 minutes (Foundation Tier),

45 minutes (Higher Tier)

Paper 2: Speaking (25% of GCSE)

Communicating and interacting effectively in speech for a variety of purposes. The test comprises 3 tasks: Role-play, Photo card, General conversation

7–9 minutes (Foundation Tier) + preparation time

10–12 minutes (Higher Tier) + preparation time

Paper 3: Reading (25% of GCSE)

Understanding and responding to different types of written language. Questions in English, questions in French, a translation from French into English

45 minutes (Foundation Tier),

1 hour (Higher Tier)

Paper 4: Writing (25% of GCSE)

Communicating effectively in writing for a variety of purposes

1 hour (Foundation Tier),

1 hour 15 minutes (Higher Tier)

Foundation Tier

Question 1 – write a message in French

Question 2 – write a short passage in French

Question 3 – translation from English into French

Question 4 – structured 90 word writing task in French

Higher Tier

Question 1 – structured 90 word writing task in French

Question 2 – open-ended 150 word writing task in French

Question 3 – translation from English into French

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A-level Curriculum (Currently offered at Brighouse High School)

Studying French at A-level enables students to develop their linguistic skills alongside their understanding of the culture and society of the countries where French is spoken. Students study technological and social change, looking at diversity and the benefits it brings. They will study highlights of French-speaking artistic culture, including francophone music and cinema, and learn about political engagement and who wields political power in the French-speaking world. Students also explore the influence of the past on present-day French-speaking communities. Throughout their studies, they will learn the language in the context of French-speaking countries and the issues and influences which have shaped them. Students will study texts and film and have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice.

Assessment tasks will be varied and cover listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

The course consists of 2 main topic areas: Social issues and trends + Political and Artistic Culture.

A-level students will study the grammatical system and structures of the language during their course. They also study one novel and one film.

Topic Area 1: Social issues and trends

• The changing nature of family (La famille en voie de changement)
• The ‘cyber-society’ (La « cyber-société »)
• The place of voluntary work (Le rôle du bénévolat)

Topic Area 2: Political and artistic culture

• Positive features of a diverse society (Les aspects positifs d’une société diverse)
• Life for the marginalised (Quelle vie pour les marginalisés ? )
• How criminals are treated (Comment on traite les criminels)

Literary texts and films
Students study one novel (No et moi) and one film (Entre les murs)

Assessments

Paper 1

This examines the topic work (Social issues and trends + Political and Artistic Culture).
Listening exam, Reading exam, Translation into English, Translation into French
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
50 % of A-level

Paper 2

This examines the study of the novel and the film. Students write 2 essays of approximately 300 words each in French on the book and the film.

Written exam: 2 hours
20 % of A-level

Paper 3: Speaking

Speaking exam:
i) Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card
ii) Presentation and discussion of individual research project
30 % of A-level

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The enriched curriculum

Teaching and learning is underpinned by a range of extra-curricular activities and experiences for students:

• Year 9 residential trip to Normandy.
• French film club – Wednesday lunchtime
• Subscription to French magazines
• Pearson Active Learn – online resource to accompany the KS3 text books to enable students to practise the skills, vocab and grammar in each topic.
• Kerboodle – digital text books and online resources for KS4 and KS5.
• Quizlet – online vocabulary learning