French

What will I study at Key stage 4?

The GCSE French course will build on the important language skills and knowledge you have developed at KS3 and introduce you to a wider range of language structures and vocabulary. You will learn to recognise these and apply your knowledge to different contexts.

It covers the four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) familiar to you from Key Stage 3 through topics that include media, entertainment and youth culture training and employment, fitness and health.

This is a multi skill GCSE and each skill attracts 25% of the marks

What assessments will I do?

1. You will take one paper in listening, one in reading, plus a speaking test carried out with your teacher and recorded on cassette
2. Each paper can be taken at either Foundation or Higher level, so if you are stronger in one skill than another you can choose your final papers accordingly
3. The written part of the course take the form of coursework that involves three pieces of extended writing in French on different topics.

Why should I do French?

French is an important language internationally and is spoken widely in parts of North America and Africa as well as in Europe and so can ease your travelling or improve your chances of employment in many parts of the world.

What courses or employment can I progress to at the end of my course?

Modern foreign languages are open to all, regardless of ability or prior achievement. The equal emphasis given to each of the four skills means that even if your reading or writing skills are weak, you can still do well on the speaking and listening papers. You will prepare in advance the speaking topics and you will be entered for either the Higher or the Foundation paper after full consultation with your teacher.