French

Modern Foreign Languages courses at Thornhill Academy aim to equip students with the necessary practical communication skills required for work and leisure as well as providing the linguistic foundation for further study. Students are provided with opportunities to develop the spoken language and build confidence in oracy.

Learning a Foreign Language will help open the doors to more jobs due to the fact that this ability is a specialist skill. It also provides cultural awareness for students as discussions around cultural differences and events are built into the curriculum.

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3, French is taught as a specialist subject and follows the National Curriculum. Students are offered the opportunity to learn, improve, and develop their knowledge, skills, and understanding to make progress in this subject.

In year 7, students acquire the basic understanding of the linguistic structures and patterns while learning how to describe themselves, talk about their families and interests, as well as discover more about the diverse French culture and traditions.

In year 8, students build upon their knowledge and learn how to describe holidays using different tenses, talk about festivals and celebrations, as well as develop a more understanding of leisure time activities.

In year 9, students work to develop and understand more complex grammar structures, including continued use of three tenses. They use these skills to discuss healthy living and illness, sport and fitness, and family relationships.

Year 7

Describing myself (name, age, birthday)
Talking about my appearance
Discussing family members
Talking about where you live
Learning about France and different towns
Discussing clothes and fashion

Year 8

Talking about different types of music
Listening to and describing Francophone music
Exploring Paris – learning about the monuments and history of the town
Describing a past trip to Paris
Food culture in France – likes and dislikes
How to stay healthy
Exploring different sports around the French speaking countries

Year 9

Discussing holidays
Describing a past trip
Exploring Francophone countries around the world
Lifestyle issues and changes that can be made
Careers and future plans
Cinema in France
Environmental issues and solutions

Key Stage 4

Students follow Pearson Edexcel GCSE French course. This course builds upon their KS4 knowledge developing their ability to speak, read, listen and write in a Foreign Language. They are also exposed to developing their linguistic knowledge around grammar and syntax. The course follows Thematic contexts which link through the modules taught.

Year 10