Pupils gain an introduction to the language through a series of listening, speaking, reading and writing

tasks, which cover a broad range of topics such as personalia, family, pets, hobbies, school life,

holidays and food. A variety of teaching strategies are used including group work, pair work,

interactive games and activities. The learning of each unit is supplemented with relevant materials and

opportunities to develop linguistic capabilities through the use of interactive language websites both

in school and at home to consolidate new information.

Skills acquired at Key Stage 3 are further developed in Years 11 and 12, to meet the requirements of

the CEA specification for GCSE. The topics studied are selected from the three Contexts for

Learning: The Individual, Citizenship and Employability. In the course of the two years, pupils will

complete two Speaking and two Writing Controlled Assessment tasks, which represent 60% of the

final mark at the end of Year 12. The Speaking Tasks are conducted and marked by the class teacher

and externally moderated. The Writing tasks are completed as a one-hour exam in class and sent to

CEA for marking. The remaining 40% is made up of one Listening and one Reading Comprehension,

which are examined externally at the end of Year 12. For these exams pupils have the opportunity to

select between Foundation and Higher Level.

The two years of study are designed to meet the requirements of the CEA examinations board. At AS

level topics studied are selected from the three Contexts for Learning: Relationships, Health and

Lifestyle and Young People in Society. At A2 Level the contexts are Local and Global Citizenship

and Environmental Awareness. As well as French classes, pupils will attend one lesson per week with

a native French speaker to further enhance their oral skills. Pupils will be examined in speaking,

listening, reading and writing skills at the end of each year. For more detailed information about the A

Level course, please refer to www.ccea.org.uk .