The aim of the French Department is to enable pupils to understand and communicate in the target language. The subject is taught to all boys from Early Years Foundation Stage to Year 8.  In the process, we would hope to be able to broaden the boys’ social perceptions and to promote a positive image of France and French-speaking countries.  Communication will be assessed in oral, listening and written forms, as appropriate to the level of study, with progress being regularly tested and monitored internally, in preparation for Common Entrance or PSS exams.

By the age of 13, all pupils should be able to cope orally in practical situations, with varying degrees of accuracy and with a reasonable French accent.  They should also be able to bring their linguistic knowledge to bear on situations outside their immediate experience, displaying a certain flexibility and mastery of vocabulary and structures.

They will all have listened to a variety of authentic recorded material to accustom them to a range of different accents, voices and intonation and they will have attempted many different written tasks in the form of short messages, postcards and informal letters.  Their written work should be grammatically and structurally sound, displaying a good range of vocabulary, with the stronger linguists being able to write with greater depth and creativity.

We aim to make the pupils understand that the language, whilst being a tool to be used in the classroom, is also a key to a broader society, and that French is very much a living language rather than simply a sterile classroom pursuit.  To this end, they have the opportunity to correspond with French pen friends, organised by the department.  In the course of Year 7, this exchange of letters happens several times, and relationships are established.  A full exchange takes place in Year 8, with the pupils from the Collège Henri Matisse in Linselles, near Lille.

Language patterns, structure and grammar are necessary ingredients if the pupils are to be able to get to grips with the workings of a foreign language.  The acquisition of such concepts, whilst being necessary for their learning of French, also gives them insight into and a greater appreciation of their own language and paves the way for the taking of a second language in their next schools.  From the outset, the target language should be the language of the classroom as much as possible and creative activities should provide enjoyment and intellectual stimulation.

Reading for pleasure is encouraged, with classroom time given over on a regular basis to  Bibliobus, Vu et Lu, Carte Blanche and other general readers.  Pupils are encouraged to subscribe to Mary Glasgow magazines, organised through the department, where for £10, they receive 6 magazines and 2 CDs, ability graded, in the course of the year.  Classes in the senior school also regularly use two further reading resources:  Carte Blanche and A La Carte.  Each of these schemes is graded and self-assessed, making them ideal either for whole class use for as extension work for the more able pupil.  The pupils have individual record sheets for each scheme, which goes some way towards helping to monitor their progress.