French
Staff
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Dr. M Beirne (Head of Department)
Mrs LD Clarke
Mr P Kane
Ms A McGowan
Ms O Mezza
Mrs J Mulholland
Mr F Fretigny (Language Assistant)
Key Stage 3
Students choose 2 Languages in Year 8 from a choice of French, Spanish, German and Irish that they study throughout Key Stage 3. They have three thirty-five minute periods per week in each of their two Languages in Years 8, 9 and 10. We use Pearson Accès Studio (Year 8), Studio 1 (Years 8 and 9) and Studio 2 (Year 10). These are supplemented by departmental booklets, audio-visual materials accessed online and ICT resources. We develop the fours skills of Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing, equipping pupils with the vocabulary and grammar to continue to Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 4
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GCSE French Examination Board: CCEA
French is an optional subject at Key Stage 4. Pupils who choose this option will have five thirty-five minute periods per week which build on the knowledge and four skills of Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing developed at Key Stage 3. Each of the four skills will be assessed at the end of Year 12 and carry an equal weighting of 25%. We use the Studio Higher textbook. Pupils will study 3 Contexts:
1. Identity, Lifestyle and Culture
2. Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest
3. School Life, Studies and the World of Work
For more information, contact the CCEA French Microsite: http://ccea.org.uk/french/
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Key Stage 5
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A Level French Examination Board: CCEA
Students who have studied French at Key Stage 4 may elect to study AS or A Level French. Students who choose this subject will have nine thirty-five minute periods with their teacher and up to two periods per week with the French Language Assistant, one individual session and a small group session. Students will build on the vocabulary, grammar and skills developed in Key Stage 4.
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At AS Level, students study three modules:
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AS 1: Speaking (Presentation and Conversation: 11 minutes)
AS 2: Listening Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Translation and Use of Language
AS 3: Extended Writing based on a literature text (L’Étranger) or a film (Manon des Sources)
The Contexts for Learning are:
1. Relationships
2. Culture and Lifestyle
At A2 Level, students also study three modules:
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A2 1: Speaking (Discussion and Conversation: 15 minutes)
A2 2: Listening Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Prose and Summary
A2 3: Extended Writing based on a literary text (Thérèse Desqueyroux)
The Contexts for Learning are:
1. Young People in Society
2. Our Place in a Changing World
For more information, contact the CCEA French Microsite: https://ccea.org.uk/french
Enrichment
Students of French have the opportunity to engage in a range of extra-curricular activities outside the classroom:
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Onatti Theatre Productions French play
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NICILT Francofest at QUB
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Careers talks to promote Modern Languages at GCSE and A Level
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All-Ireland Linguistics Olympiad
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NICILT A Level support events
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NICILT A Level French Debates at QUB
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Year 13 and 14 biennial French Exchange
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