FRENCH

French | Curriculum Intent

Our department is committed to creating and developing enthusiastic learners who are not only effective independent thinkers but also collaborative workers. Communication is at the heart of everything we do, and our pupils are encouraged to use their language skills to take risks. They develop informed opinions and gain an insight into cultural differences enabling them to challenge preconceptions and be global citizens. Our curriculum focuses on learning, rather than teaching; we want pupils to reflect on and enhance their skills, ask questions and enjoy challenge. Our learners are encouraged to extend their skills beyond the classroom in order to better prepare them for life after Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School.

Within the MFL department at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School we actively promote the key values of mutual respect, democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty. Within MFL lessons we aim to create a safe and trustworthy environment in which every student feels comfortable to learn about, debate and reflect on the countries where the language they study are spoken. Students are encouraged to appreciate the need for tolerance and injustice throughout the world and, in turn, develop an understanding of what it means to be a global citizen. As well as studying the culture and customs of these countries, our students also come to understand and value the rule of law and their democratic systems.

  • Assessments can be differentiated into 4 bands (a-d) to offer extra challenge and to support those who are struggling.
  • DIRT / Feedback and follow up homework will include questions from different bands to consolidate grammar / vocabulary
  • Sixth form mentor: Sixth formers offer support to Years 7-9 in French.
  • Lunch time support offered by staff leading up to / following an assessment.
  • Knowledge organisers
  • Support sheets for grammar / tips for succeeding in written and spoken assessments
  • Parental contact – for reward and for alerting of under achievement
  • Differentiated lessons
  • GCSE Foundation materials shared and used in lessons and for homework
  • Regular vocabulary tests / frequent assessment with targets for improvement.
  • DVDs / books loaned out to students.
  • VLE – The French VLE has links to websites and resources

Students are encouraged to watch videos in foreign languages on YouTube and to listen to songs. There are many websites which the department recommend including:

  • BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zhsvr82
  • Tex’s French Grammar https://www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/
  • Français Facile ttps://www.francaisfacile.com/Memrise ttps://www.memrise.com/

  • Trip to Normandy
  • Writing Competitions
  • Languages in Sport Day
  • Culture Day