French

Introduction

Bienvenue!  ¡Bienvenidos!  Khush am deed!  Welcome!

Learning Modern Languages at Woodfarm High School gives all young people the opportunity to experience a range of Modern Languages and learn about a variety of cultures. We aim to promote the school values of curiosity, belonging, ambition and respect through learning experiences that allow students to develop their global citizenship and skills specific to modern languages learning that will also empower them in life and the world of work. In life, everyone needs to be able to communicate effectively and learning any modern language will boost our young people’s ability to listen to others, select pertinent information when reading text, talk effectively with others and write short texts with care and attention to detail. In short, we work to enhance social and interpersonal skills in learning how to cope with everyday situations and how to listen to and work with others. We have a clear role to play in boosting student’s literacy skills and our topics help to encourage learners to think about their health and wellbeing. 

The faculty aims to develop a growth mind set in learners. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are developed through reading and listening tasks. We foster independent thinking, creativity and teamwork whilst developing talking skills. Through a combination of skill development and topic coverage, the Modern Languages faculty hopes to encourage empathy and tolerance in students as we develop their understanding of different countries, cultures and backgrounds. Our range of courses offer opportunity for all; we want to enable students to enjoy success and achieve their full potential.  Furthermore, we encourage the study skills of memorising, analysing, selecting, extracting and noting detail and reporting.

Finally, the Modern Languages faculty aims to promote an interest in languages leading to enjoyment and appreciation of language in general.  We strive to provide pupils with the necessary skills to undertake National Qualifications at the appropriate level and to prepare them for adult life, employment, further education or training.

Staff

Mrs. S. Thomson, Faculty Head, French & Spanish 

Ms. L. Brinkworth, French & Spanish

Mr. G. Miller, French & Spanish

Curriculum

Broad General Education

In S1 and S2, students will study French via topics such as: school subjects, clothes/uniform, time, describing your house, describing your town, environment, sports/hobbies, family descriptions and relationships, visiting the doctor/chemist, food/drink/healthy eating, pocket money, jobs, holidays, tv/cinema. These topics will support students to develop their skills in listening, reading, talking and writing.

S3 + S4 – Level 4 and National 4 / 5

Students will develop their skills in French through learning across topics from 4 learning contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. Topics include: family, friends and relationships, friendship, free time, healthy lifestyles, media, where you live, environment, learning at school, part time jobs, work experience, holidays. Learners will reflect, communicate and develop ideas through language, enhancing their understanding and enjoyment of other cultures and their own.

Senior Phase

Higher

Students will develop their skills in French through learning across topics from 4 learning contexts: society, learning, employability and culture. Topics include: family structures, relationships and conflict, healthy living, unhealthy lifestyles, learning languages, global citizenship, going to university, future plans, women in the world of work, taking a gap year, travel, stereotypes & racism, cultures & traditions. Students will use different media effectively for learning and communication; and to develop a deeper understanding of how language works.

Advanced Higher

Advanced Higher takes the development of intellectual maturity, critical awareness and sound knowledge and use of language a stage further from Higher. The course continues the progression in understanding, experience and use of language. Students will explore contemporary issues and see how their lives compare with their French speaking peers. The Specialist Study introduces them to an in-depth study of literature in the target language. A greater demand made on the students’ time outside the classroom and at home. Ongoing work on the preparation of the Specialist Study, the learning of vocabulary and structures, and the regular and thorough revision of class work is expected, alongside the submission of one or more pieces of written work per week.

Learning Experiences

Studying a modern language helps develop good oral and written communication skills and will enable you to gather, assess and interpret information effectively whilst developing problem-solving skills.  You will enjoy developing your listening, talking, reading and writing skills through a variety of stimulating collaborative learning experiences including the use of ICT and games. In addition, you will gain a deeper understanding of core vocabulary and key grammar points.

You will develop your curiosity of different cultures, lifestyles and languages and analyse, adapt and make sense of a wide variety of resources through discussion, ICT and individual, group and class work.

Life and Work

Many young people choose to learn more than one language at school.  This may seem like a daunting challenge, however learning in one modern language will help you to progress quicker in the learning of another. Once you have developed the skills in ‘how’ to learn a language, these skills are highly transferable to others.

If you are thinking on continuing your education after school, then having a qualification in a language can give you a competitive edge in your college or university application.  Firstly, some courses are now looking for a pass in a foreign language to gain entry in other studies unrelated to languages!   Secondly, many colleges and universities offer languages modules as part of your studies in other areas.  Examples of such courses include International Business and Modern Languages, Engineering with French, Law and Spanish.  If you do study a language as part of your degree you can also spend time studying abroad in Europe or further afield.  Learning a language alongside another passion can be your passport to one of the best years of your adult life!

If the world of work is where you are headed after school, then it is worth noting that even a National 5 pass in a language can make you a very attractive prospect to potential employers.  The study of a language shows employers that you have developed a wide range of skills for employment.  Studying a language strengthens your written and oral communication, boosts your organisational skills, improves your ability to analyse information and can even help your ability to contribute to discussions.  Not to mention that learning languages can improve your understanding of other countries and cultures in an increasingly global world.

Resources

Vocabulary booklets and useful classroom resources will be posted regularly on Google classroom. S1+2 information will be posted on relevant ML Google classrooms and S3-S6 will be posted on individual French1 Google classrooms.

 

Linguascope: an online learning platform providing interactive games and learning materials for students.

https://www.linguascope.com    

Bright Red Digital Zone: resources to support National and Higher French learners, including listening material.

https://www.brightredbooks.net/n5

https://www.brightredbooks.net/higher

BBC Bitesize: resources to support National 5 and Higher learners, including listening material.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z6gw2hv

SCHOLAR: resources to support National 5 and Higher learners, including listening material.

https://scholar.hw.ac.uk/

SQA past papers   https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45775.html