“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”
Nelson Mandela
WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER FRENCH AS A GCSE SUBJECT CHOICE?
The French language holds a strong position in international diplomacy. It is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide and it is an official language in numerous international organisations such as the United Nations (UN). French is not only useful for those interested in International Relations but plenty of other sectors like translation, journalism, law and travel and tourism. French is spoken all around the world by hundreds of millions of people. It’s even one of the six official UN languages. Owing to the former French empire, large parts of Africa speak the language, as does Canada, and several European nations.
Post Brexit it is now much harder for UK businesses to hire native speakers from Europe. This could be your chance!
WHAT QUALIFICATION DOES THE COURSE LEAD TO?
The course will directly lead to a GCSE in French ( A*-G). It enables students to carry on studying French at A Level and at university.
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
You will learn useful language that you could use in situations relating to leisure and wellbeing, travel and study or work.
Units 1, 3 and 4 will be based on the following broad themes. Sub-themes are exemplified for each broad theme and many we have already covered in Key Stage 3:
• language for leisure and wellbeing, for example: healthy mind and body (food and drink, health and fitness, sport and hobbies), self and relationships, using technology and media.
• language for travel, for example: travelling around the world (holidays), traditions and cultural differences in French speaking countries, the environment and sustainability.
• language for study and work, for example: study and work opportunities (School life and studies), the benefits of working with languages, in the world of work both at home and abroad.
HOW WILL I LEARN?
French at GCSE is taught no differently to how you have been taught in Key Stage 3. It is taught in an enjoyable way in a variety of methods to sustain interest and develop different skill areas. The WJEC GCSE in French has been designed to enable you to use languages in meaningful ways. You will learn how to understand the language and communicate in both speaking and writing in realistic settings. You will also develop an awareness of the culture and society of French speaking countries and make connections with your own language and culture. Building on new vocabulary and grammatical structures, learners will then be given practical opportunities to adapt and practice their own language through writing or speaking.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
There are FOUR units for GCSE French. Two are assessed in examinations in the final year of study. The other two units are completed as non-examination assessments in your classroom, also in your final year of study.
UNIT 1 – Oracy 30% of the qualification.
Unit 1 is a non-examination assessment of speaking and listening and will be conducted by your teacher. Firstly, you will read aloud a short sentence to show your understanding of French pronunciation – something we have spent a long time perfecting in Key Stage 3. You will then take part in a role play. After this, you will give a short one-minute presentation that you will have prepared in advance and have a short discussion with your teacher about your presentation. Finally, you will take part in a short conversation with your teacher.
UNIT 2 - Reading and Writing 15% of the qualification.
Unit 2 is also a non-examination assessment that you will complete in your classroom. As a class, you will study a short piece of work (either a graphic novel (comic), short story, film script or novel) in French. You will then write a written response (up to 200 words) in French about the short story/graphic novel or film script you have studied.
Unit 3 – Listening 20% of the qualification.
Unit 3 is a listening examination. You will listen a range of speakers in French and will demonstrate your understanding of what you have heard by for example, answering multiple choice questions or questions in English.
Unit 4 - Reading and Writing 35% of the qualification
For this assessment, you will read texts in French and answers questions on them in English. You will also be required to complete a translation from English into French. Finally, you will be able to demonstrate your written language skills by writing up to 120 words in French from a choice of three questions.
https://www.wjec.co.uk/media/rwtgyifn/mfl-options-evening-flyer.pdf
WILL THERE BE ANY EDUCATIONAL VISITS TO FRANCE SO THAT I CAN USE MY LANGUAGE SKILLS IN REAL LIFE SITUATIONS?
Mais oui! Learners have the opportunity to go to Paris and Lille in December, to provide them a full and authentic experience of France and the French language. This trip is organised every other year. They will visit the Musée du Louvre and the Mémorial de la Shoah. They will walk through the typical streets of Montmartre & Sacre Cœur. The Bateaux Parisiens (River Seine Cruise) is a perfect way to see all the major monuments in Paris including Notre Dame and the Ile de la Cite. A day trip to the Château de Versailles will delight the students interested in French history and in particular the French Revolution. In the evening, students will have the opportunity to do some shopping in Paris Christmas Markets and enjoy the Christmas lights. A whole day will be spent in Disneyland Paris.
In Lille Christmas Markets, students can have the experience of another French city.
HOW WILL AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE BENEFIT ME IN THE WORLD OF WORK?
A GCSE qualification in an international language such as French will considerably broaden the scope of job opportunities and can be combined successfully with many other subjects at A Level and at university level.
The study and experience of an international language will also increase your skill set for life by:
- developing skills in clear communication
- encourages problem solving
- considers ideas from another culture’s point of view
- provides you with translation skills, as well as active and fine listening skills
- enables you with the ability to think quickly and respond appropriately
In addition to these, it enhances your knowledge of English and will boost your literacy skills.
USEFUL WEBSITES
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/benefits-of-learning-french
https://www.institut-francais.org.uk/education-page/french-a-language-of-opportunities/#/
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/top-in-demand-languages
“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.”
Rita Mae Brown
Credits:
Created with an image by Richie Chan - "Eiffel Tower in Paris, France at dusk"