Modern Languages

French Week 2008

Pupils start French in Year 1 and throughout the younger part of the school there is great emphasis on the spoken word, reinforced by visual stimuli, songs and games.

In Year 5 pupils follow Metro1, in Year 6, Encore Tricolore 1 and in Year 7 Tricolore 2. In Year 8 there is Common Entrance and Scholarship work.

Although the Speaking element remains hugely important there is increasing coverage of the three other elements of the language – Reading, Writing and Listening.  Pupils are taught in form groups in Year 5 and are setted in Years 6 to 8.

The department is well-equipped with audio and visual technology as well as with interactive whiteboards; there is regular use made of the ICT suite.

There are internal exams twice a year, culminating with the Common Entrance and Common Scholarship Examinations in the summer term.

Latin is taught to the top set in Year 7 and Spanish to the top set in Year 8; French remains the main foreign language.  In addition there are usually lunchtime language clubs.

We regard it as important for children to be familiar with languages thus we take every opportunity – in Collect, for example –  to promote other cultures and countries. In the summer term there is a French Week and, in addition, Year 7 spend a full immersion week each September in Normandy.

Year 7 French Trip 2010