Modern Foreign Languages

French

What topics will my child study in year 7 and 8?

In year 7 and 8, pupils will learn how to introduce and describe themselves and others. They will also learn how to talk about their daily life in and out of school. Pupils will learn about French culture through the use of authentic material such as songs, poems and films.

Topics studied in year 7

1. Introductions

2. Family

3. Likes and dislikes

4. School

5. Interests

6. Film unit - Le Petit Nicolas

Topics studied in year 8

1. My town

2. Holidays

3. My hobbies

4. Paris

5. Family and relationships

6. Grammar review

What topics will my child study in year 9, 10 and 11?

In year 9, 10 and 11, students will be taught how to manipulate the language as a way to become independent speakers and writers of French. We will deal with topics related to the world around them, such as relationships, education, work, technology, social media or environmental issues. There will be an emphasis on good pronunciation, spontaneity and accurate grammar. Students will also be exposed to French culture more thoroughly through authentic texts from French literature.

Students follow GCSE (9 - 1) Edexcel French Specification.

Do you have a reading list for this subject?

Literary texts Le Petit Prince by Antoine de St Exupéry

L’Étranger by Albert Camus Le Château de ma Mère, Marcel Pagnol, 1957 (novel)

No et Moi, Delphine de Vigan, 2007 (novel)

Un Sac de Billes, Joseph Joffo, 1973 (novel)

Films

Chocolat, dir. Claire Denis (1988)

Intouchables, dirs. Oliver Nakache, Eric Toledano (2011)

La Vie en Rose, dir. Olivier Dahan (2007)

Les Choristes, dir. Christophe Barratier (2004)

How can I help my child to excel in this subject?

As a parent you can help your child to excel by encouraging him/her to check his/her online Dynamic Progress Report regularly (DPR) in order to anticipate his/her learning.

We also recommend that pupils immerse themselves as much as possible in the language they learn. This can be achieved by watching movies, watching French news or listening to music in the target language.

You could also encourage your child to practise his/her language skills on specific websites.

Are there any online resources?

Duolinguo

Memrise

BBC Bitesize KS3 BBC Bitesize GCSE

LanguageGym

Do you offer any interventions or clubs my child can attend?

We run weekly after school intervention for students who need support in their learning.

More Able Students (MAS) will be given extra resources and opportunities to further challenge themselves.

Are there any important dates for me to be aware of in your subject?

GCSE EXAMINATIONS: May 2025

How will my child be assessed at the end of the course?

Your child will undertake the GCSE examination in Modern Foreign Languages.

He/she will be assessed on 4 skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension, and writing. Each component is worth 25% of the total score. There is no coursework for this course.

Listening:

• Written examination. This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all the themes and topics.
• Foundation tier: 35 minutes including 5 minutes’ reading time.
• Higher tier: 45 minutes including 5 minutes’ reading time.

Reading:

• Written examination. This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all the themes and topics.
• Foundation tier: 45 minutes.
• Higher tier: 1 hour.

Writing:

• Written examination.
• This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all the themes and topics.
• Foundation tier: three open response questions and one translation into French. 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Higher tier: two open response questions and one translation into French. 1 hour 20 minutes.

Speaking:

• Foundation and Higher: 70 marks.
• There are three tasks which must be conducted in the following order:
• Task 1 – a role play based on one topic allocated by the exam board.
• Task 2 – questions based on a picture stimulus based on one topic allocated by the exam board.
• Task 3 – conversation based on two themes.
• The first theme is based on the topic chosen by the student in advance of the assessment.
• The second theme is allocated by the exam board.

Spanish

What topics will my child study in year 7 and 8?

What topics will my child study in year 7 and 8?

Topics studied in year 7

1. Introductions

2. Free time activities

3. School

4. Family and friends

5. Town and city

6. Writing my autobiography

Topics studied in year 8

1. Holidays

2. Interests

3. Food

4. Making plans

5. Summer holidays

6. Start the GCSE course and film module

What topics will my child study in year 9, 10 and 11?

In year 9, 10 and 11, students will be taught how to manipulate the language as a way to become independent speakers and writers of Spanish. We will deal with topics related to the world around them, such as relationships, education and work, technology and social media or environmental issues. There will be an emphasis on good pronunciation, spontaneity and accurate grammar.

Students will also be exposed to the Spanish culture more thoroughly through authentic texts from the Spanish literature.

Students follow GCSE (9 - 1) Edexcel Spanish Specification.

Do you have a reading list for this subject?

Books:

Como agua para chocolate, Laura Esquivel, 1989 (novel)

El coronel no tiene quien le escriba, Gabriel García Márquez, 1961 (novel)

La casa de Bernarda Alba, Federico García Lorca, 1936 (play)

Films

Diarios de motocicleta, dir. Walter Salles (2004)

El laberinto del fauno, dir. Guillermo del Toro (2006)

La lengua de las mariposas, dir. José Luis Cuerda (1999)

How can I help my child to excel in this subject?

As a parent you can help your child to excel by encouraging him/her to check his online Dynamic Progress Report regularly (DPR) in order to anticipate his/her learning.

We also recommend that pupils immerse themselves as much as possible in the language they learn. This can be achieved by watching movies, watching the Spanish news or listening to music in the target language. You could also encourage your child to practise his/her language skills on specific websites.

Are there any online resources?

Duolinguo

Memrise

BBC Bitesize KS3

BBC Bitesize GCSE

LanguageGym

Do you offer any interventions or clubs my child can attend?

We run weekly after school intervention for students who need support in their learning. More Able Students (MAS) will be given extra resources and opportunities to further challenge themselves.

Are there any important dates for me to be aware of in your subject?

GCSE EXAMINATIONS: May 2025

How will my child be assessed at the end of the course?

Your child will undertake the GCSE examination in Modern Foreign Languages.

He/she will be assessed on 4 skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension, and writing. Each component is worth 25% of the total score. There is no coursework for this course.

Listening:

• Written examination. This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all the themes and topics.
• Foundation tier: 35 minutes including 5 minutes’ reading time.
• Higher tier: 45 minutes including 5 minutes’ reading time.

Reading:

• Written examination. This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all the themes and topics.
• Foundation tier: 45 minutes.
• Higher tier: 1 hour.

Writing:

• Written examination.
• This paper draws on vocabulary and structures across all the themes and topics.
• Foundation tier: three open response questions and one translation into French. 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Higher tier: two open response questions and one translation into French. 1 hour 20 minutes.

Speaking:

• Foundation and Higher: 70 marks.
• There are three tasks which must be conducted in the following order:
• Task 1 – a role play based on one topic allocated by the exam board.
• Task 2 – questions based on a picture stimulus based on one topic allocated by the exam board.
• Task 3 – conversation based on two themes.
• The first theme is based on the topic chosen by the student in advance of the assessment.
• The second theme is allocated by the exam board.