French at Ffynone House School

French at Ffynone House

At Ffynone House School, pupils study French and German at Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) and they can choose to continue with one language or both at GCSE, AS and A Levels. Both French and German are taught in small groups by native speakers.

Since languages have ceased to be compulsory in Years 10 and 11 nationwide, studying a modern language will certainly single you out for the right reasons at university level and in the job market.

Indeed, in the global world of the 21^st century, speaking one or more languages is an invaluable asset, as most companies are multi-national and future employers will welcome linguists, especially if they double with another subject.

According to an article on 9 July 2009, called Second language 'great for employers', Teresa Tinsley, director of communications at CILT, the National Centre for Languages, commented: “Employers are increasingly looking for people with ability in a second language, particularly conversational language skills which help to build relationships with existing partners and to make contacts in new markets".

A language is also a strong academic subject at A Level, well sought-after by all universities, whatever the course studied (whether it be law, medicine, economics, etc).

So, for those who really like languages, and cannot make up their minds which to go for, why not study two of them at GCSE and further.

French at GCSE

Examination Board:  WJEC

• Written Paper :

           a.  approx. 35 minutes (Foundation)

           b. approx. 45 minutes (Higher)

• Listening comprehension with non-verbal and verbal responses in English.

UNIT 2: SPEAKING (30%)                 40 marks  (60 UMS) 

• Controlled assessment (untiered)
• 2 tasks:  

          a.   Structured conversation (based on the contexts mentioned below).

          b.   Giving a presentation     ( a free choice of topic)

UNIT 3: READING (20%)                 40 marks  (40 UMS)

• Written Paper :

          a. approx. 35 minutes (F)

          b. approx 45 minutes (H)

• Reading comprehension with non-verbal and verbal responses in English.

UNIT 4: WRITING (30%)                 40 marks  (60 UMS)

• Controlled assessment (untiered)
• 2 written tasks from different contexts.

The topics studied at GCSE Level will cover the following broad contexts:

Personal and Social Life

Self, family, friends, home life, shopping, meals, healthy living, illness and accident, free time, fashion, relationships, future plans).

The Local Community

Hometown, school, education, local environment, pollution, recycling, local facilities, comparisons with other towns and regions, weather and seasons).

The World of Work

Work experience, part-time jobs, future careers, technology – sending messages, accessing information).

The Wider World

Travel and holidays, media, social issues (e.g.: life of young people today, homelessness, crime, drugs, healthy living, religion, politics), life in the countries and communities where the language is spoken.

What the GCSE course involves

The GCSE specifications in French and German will enable learners to:

• develop understanding of the language in a variety of contexts;
• develop knowledge of the language and language learning skills;
• develop the ability to communicate effectively in the language;
• develop awareness and understanding of countries and communities where the language is spoken.

French at AS / A Levels

Examination Board:  WJEC

AS LEVEL

FN 1: SPEAKING   (20%)                                           60 marks (80 UMS)

• Examiner-led discussion of topics
• General conversation

FN 2: LISTENING, READING & WRITING    (30%)     98 marks (120 UMS)

• Listening and Responding
• Reading and Responding
• Grammar Tasks
• Translation from Target Language into English
• Essay

A LEVEL

 FN 3: SPEAKING (20%)                                          40 marks  (40 UMS)

• Structured Discussion
• Exposé

  FN 4: LISTENING, READING & WRITING (30%)        98 marks (120 UMS)

• Listening and Responding
• Reading and responding
• Grammar Tasks
• Translation from English into Target Language
• Guided Studies Essay

The topics studied at AS & A Levels will be studied with reference to target language countries as well as in a wider, global context as appropriate:

 AS Level

(a) Leisure and Lifestyles, including travel and tourism, sport, hobbies, entertainment, customs, traditions, healthy living – health and nutrition, diet, and exercise; unhealthy living – drugs, aids, smoking, alcohol, etc.

(b) The Individual and Society, including relationships and responsibilities, gender issues, youth culture (values, peer groups, fashions and trends, etc), education, vocational training and future careers.

A Level

(C) Environmental Issues, including technology, pollution, global warming, transport, energy, nuclear energy, renewable energies, conservation, recycling, sustainability.

(d) Social and Political Issues, including the role of the media, racism, immigration, social exclusion and integration, terrorism, the world of work (employment, commerce, globalization, etc).

Becoming a good language student

The language student at Ffynone is given the opportunity to develop all his/her language skills, dictionary skills, experience the culture of the language studied by going on trips abroad,  watching films in a foreign language, but first and foremost by working hard.

At A Level, with the new specifications, there will be an opportunity for the film enthusiast to watch and analyse French or German films in the course of their studies, or for the bookworm, to read a text in the language studied and analyse it. 

Trips abroad

Trips to France and Germany are organised regularly, as foreign visits play an important part in developing language skills and provide a direct contact with the countries’ culture and society, thus broadening your horizons.

In addition, since September 2009, Ffynone Film Club has started to introduce pupils to world cinema. They will able to watch exciting and unusual films which will help them to explore themes and issues raised in many subjects.

The MFL department has quite a large selection of films in French or German subtitled in English, and range from 12 certificate to 15.

Some of the films will be shown in school and others at Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea.

Careers in modern foreign languages

Even if Year 9 may seem very early to start considering a future career, the list below may widen your horizons on the advantages of studying modern languages in the global market of today and tomorrow.

• Business                  
• Catering
• Hotel Management
• Tourism
• Education
• International Finance
• International Law
• Translation
• Interpreting
• Journalism
• Media
• Fashion, to name but a few.