French

Modern Foreign Languages courses at Thornhill Academy aim to equip students with the necessary practical communication skills required for work and leisure. The course also intends to provide students with the linguistic foundation for further study.

Learning a Modern Foreign Language will help to open the doors to more jobs due to the fact that the ability to speak and understand a foreign language remains a specialist skill. It also provides a cultural awareness for all students that study it. Many UK exports go to Europe despite the fact that many companies still lack the specialist staff to conduct business in a foreign language.

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 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.

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage 4, students have the opportunity to study French as one of their pathways and embark on a two-year GCSE course. The department currently follows the AQA GCSE course which assesses the four language skills.

Students build upon KS3 knowledge and begin to learn more about the language. Topics such as home and local environment, holidays, social awareness, school, future plans, and the environment are studied. At the end of the course, students will complete four examinations in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.