French
Teaching Staff
Mr W. McMurtry (Head of Department)
Mrs J. Addis
Mrs K. Campbell
Mr C. Hunter
External Examinations:
GCSE French (CCEA)
AS & A2 French (CCEA)
Key Stage 3
French is taught to all Year 8 pupils using a modular approach until the end of Year 10. The French Department endeavours to engage Key Stage 3 pupils in a language learning experience which is stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable for all. To this end teachers employ a variety of teaching methods in order to develop the four key skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing and in recent years the department has made great strides in incorporating ICT, and active teaching and learning strategies, into its classroom practice.
Click here for Vocabulary Learning Strategies:
Vocabulary Learning Strategies
Click here for the website that accompanies our textbook, Métro:
GCSE
Overview
Studying a Modern Language is no longer compulsory at Larne Grammar School, however it is hoped that students will realise the benefits, advantages and many career opportunities that arise from having a qualification in another language.
At GCSE level, students should derive enjoyment and benefit from language learning, and be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. The course also aims to encourage students to recognise that their linguistic knowledge, understanding and skills help them to take their place in a multilingual, global society.
Course Content
Following on from the Curriculum Objectives at Key Stage 3, the course at GCSE has been divided into three contexts for learning:
Context 1: A focus on students’ lives, families, homes and interests, and those of others in the target language countries and communities.
Context 2: A focus on students’ lifestyles and attitudes to environmental, social and global issues, and those of others in the target language countries and communities.
Context 3: A focus on education and employment issues at home and in the target language countries and communities.
Assessment
Candidates will be assessed in the four communication skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Unit 1: Listening - 25%
External written examination
Approximately 35 minutes at Foundation Tier
Approximately 45 minutes at Higher Tier
Students answer twelve questions, in English and French.
Unit 2: Speaking - 25%
Teacher-conducted speaking examination
7–12 minutes (plus 10 minutes of preparation time)
Students complete two role-plays and a general conversation on two topics in French.
Unit 3: Reading - 25%
External written examination
50 minutes at Foundation Tier
1 hour at Higher Tier
Students answer a variety of questions in English and in French, as well as translating short sentences from French into English.
Unit 4: Writing
External written examination
1 hour at Foundation Tier
1 hour 15 minutes at Higher Tier
Students answer four questions including listing (at Foundation Tier), short phrase/sentence responses, translating short sentences, and one extended writing task (from a choice of three) in French.
Teaching Methods
The French course incorporates a variety of teaching methods including paired work, use of ICT, listening exercises, reading comprehensions, and written work. Pupils will also have the opportunity to meet with the Foreign Language Assistant; such time spent with the native speaker of the language will develop the pupils’ ability to communicate more effectively and confidently in the target language.
Careers & Further Study
The course has been designed to provide a suitable foundation for further study and/or practical use of the language, as well as a coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study for students who do not progress to further study in the subject. Career paths taken with the study of a Modern Language include: interpreting, translating, diplomatic work, teaching, international business, journalism, immigration and customs, international sales, voluntary service overseas and many more.
Note that a GCSE Modern Language is a requirement for some universities i.e. Trinity College Dublin and some subjects at UCD.
For further information on GCSE French, please click here…
http://www.ccea.org.uk/french/
A-level
Overview
If you have an interest and a desire to learn and experience the world around you then you will be well suited to this course. The AS units can be taken on their own as a stand-alone AS qualification which will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and competence in French for use in employment, leisure and travel; however, if you wish to continue to specialise in Spanish at degree level or an equivalent, then you should continue with the A2 units and obtain the full A level French qualification.
We live in an interconnected world where international and cross-cultural working relationships are commonplace and a key aspect of the global workplace. Being able to speak another language, understand other cultures and empathise with colleagues who are working in a different language are valuable skills for students and will broaden the range of possible career plans open to you.
Learning a language also gives students opportunities to develop confidence, independence, communication skills, presentation techniques and IT competence, as well as skills in research, evaluation and analysis that colleges, universities and employers value highly.
Course Content
AS 1: Speaking
AS themes: • Relationships; and • Culture and Lifestyle.
AS 2: Section A – Listening Section B – Reading Section C – Use of Language
AS themes: • Relationships; and • Culture and Lifestyle.
AS 3: Extended writing
Literature: L’Etranger by Camus:
A2 1: Speaking
Introduction and discussion based on an individual research project. Options inclide: • A cultural aspect of a French-speaking country or community; or • An historical period [twentieth-century] of a French-speaking country or community; or • A specific region of a French-speaking country or community.
Conversation based on A2 themes: • Young People in Society; and • Our Place in a Changing World. AS themes may be included as appropriate.
A2 2: Section A – Listening Section B Reading
A2 themes: • Young People in Society; and • Our Place in a Changing World
A2 3: Extended writing
Literary text: Thérèse Desqueyroux by Mauriac
The exam board is CCEA and further information on their syllabus can be found on the website: www.ccea.org.uk
Assessment
AS 1: Speaking
This is made up of a presentation [3 minutes] which you will prepare in advance followed by a conversation [8 minutes].
It will be conducted by an External Examiner.
The speaking test will last approximately 11 minutes.
Available in Summer only
30% of AS level
12% of A level
AS 2: Listening, Reading and Use of Language
Section A: Listening The listening test will consist of two sets of questions based on two passages recorded on disk. It will last 40 minutes.
Section B: Reading One set of questions in French based on one passage and one translation from French into English
Section C: Use of Language Five questions with grammatical and lexical exercises and translation of sentences from English into French Sections B and C are combined into one paper which will last 1 hour 20 minutes.
Available in Summer only
30% of AS level
12% of A level
AS 3: Extended Writing
The test will consist of one extended writing response chosen from a range of questions.
This will last 1 hour.
Available in Summer only
30% of AS level
12% of A level
A2 1: Speaking
This is made up of an introduction [1 minute] which you will prepare in advance followed by a discussion [5 minutes] and then a conversation [9 minutes].
It will be conducted by an External Examiner.
The speaking test will last approximately 15 minutes.
Available in Summer only
18% of A level
A2 2: Listening and Reading
Section A: Listening
The listening test will consist of two sets of questions based on two passages recorded on disk with answers in French and in English.
It will last approximately 45 minutes.
Section B: Reading The reading test will consist of two sets of questions in French based on two passages, one summary exercise and one translation from English into Spanish.
It will last 2 hours.
Available in Summer only
24% of A level
A2 3: Extended Writing
The test will consist of one extended writing response chosen from a range of questions.
This will last 1 hour.
Available in Summer only
18% of A level
AS: 40% of A level
A2: 60% of A level
Teaching Methods
The French course incorporates a variety of teaching methods including paired work, use of ICT for individual and group presentations, personal research into various topics, listening exercises, reading comprehensions, translation activities, and use of the language assistant.
Careers & Further Study
The French course has been designed to provide a suitable foundation for further study and/or practical use of French, as well as a coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study for students who do not progress to further study in the subject. Career paths taken with the study of French include: interpreting, translating, diplomatic work, teaching, international business, journalism, immigration and customs, international sales, voluntary service overseas and many more.
For further information on A-level French, please click here…
http://www.ccea.org.uk/french/
Academic Success
The department prides itself in consistently performing well above the Northern Ireland Grammar School Average in terms of A* Grades at GCSE. For example, in 2014, 45% of our pupils achieved an A* Grade at GCSE, which is 27% above the N.I. Average for Grammar Schools.
Vocabulary Sound Files – Year 8 French