French
“Le bonheur est parfois caché dans l’inconnu.” — Victor Hugo
In the French Department we aim to foster a love of language learning, developing our students’ confidence and focusing on communicating in a supportive, fun environment.
As one of the world’s main languages, spoken across five continents, French opens up many economic, cultural and career opportunities, and at LWC we aim to build a positive rapport between our students and the French-speaking world that will remain in adult life.
All students at LWC take French, Spanish or both up to GCSE and many of our 6th-Form students continue to study languages at university, often leading to exciting future opportunities abroad.
At KS3, students develop the foundations of language learning through engaging and interactive lessons that build confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Pupils learn to communicate in a range of everyday contexts, developing key vocabulary and grammatical knowledge while exploring aspects of French culture and the wider Francophone world. Students are encouraged to express opinions, justify ideas and manipulate language creatively, helping them become confident and independent linguists. The curriculum promotes curiosity, resilience and a positive attitude towards language learning, providing a strong foundation for further study at GCSE.
At KS4, students follow the Edexcel GCSE French course, developing their language skills across the four key areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Lessons are designed around a range of engaging themes, including identity and culture, local and global issues, school, future aspirations and international experiences. Students strengthen their understanding of grammar, translation skills and spontaneous communication while building confidence in using French in authentic contexts. Preparation for the Edexcel GCSE examinations includes practice with exam techniques, role plays, photo cards, conversations, translation tasks and extended writing. Through regular retrieval, targeted feedback and exam-focused support, students are equipped to achieve success while developing valuable communication and analytical skills.
At KS5, students study the AQA A Level French course, which offers a stimulating and intellectually challenging exploration of language, culture and society in the French-speaking world. Students develop advanced linguistic skills through the study of contemporary social and political issues and artistic culture. To understand how literature helps with this understanding, they study “Le Secret” by Philippe Grimbert and the film “La Haine”. The course places a strong emphasis on fluency, independent thinking and critical analysis, preparing students for higher education and future careers in a globalised world. As part of the AQA specification, students undertake an individual research project, for which we are lucky to have the support of Ms Allen, our French Language Assistant, who meets with pupils on an individual basis once a week. QA French GCSE syllabus in 3rd Form and we follow the AQA syllabus at A- Level.