Modern Foreign Languages

French – Curriculum Learning Journey

Find out more

Spanish – Curriculum Learning Journey

Find out more

Languages KS3 – French

In Greenacre Academy, all the students in KS3 follow the curriculum of the textbook Dynamo (from Pearson) for French, which motivates pupils and prepares them to carry on with the study of a language, French or Spanish, in KS4.

In order to recall the content of the subject, students are asked each term to complete their homework based on their Knowledge Organisers. We also encourage them to revise the vocabulary using the technique Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check; the use of flashcards and to read aloud the sentences.

Revision resources:

Cultural Activities in our department include:

  • European Day of Languages (26th of September).
  • Interaction with French guests.
  • French Christmas Carol.
  • Cultural Evening for Year 9.
  • Bastille Day (14th of July).

French GCSE AQA (8658) or Spanish GCSE AQA (8692)

In the present school year, we have students in French GCSE and Spanish GCSE. A language is part of the EBacc and we use the exam board AQA.


Exam elements:
French GCSE (as well as Spanish GCSE) has a tiered entry. This means that there are two different exams: Foundation and Higher. The Foundation exam is easier, but the highest grade a student can achieve is a 5. The Higher exam is more difficult and a bit longer, but students can achieve 6 up to 9. Decisions on which tier students should take will occur in year 11 during spring term. They will be based on the results of the mock exams.

There are 4 different papers to take and each of them worth 25% of the grade:

  • Paper 1: Listening. Understanding and responding to different types of spoken language.
  • Paper 2: Speaking. Communicating and interacting effectively in speech for a variety of purposes.
  • Paper 3: Reading. Understanding and responding to different types of written language.
  • Paper 4: Writing. Communicating effectively in writing for a variety of purposes.

Content and topics.
The content of the subject is split across 3 key themes with the following topics:

Theme 1: Identity and Culture.

 Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of interest.

 Theme 3: Current and future study and employment.

 Topic 1: Me, my family and Friends.

Topic 1: Home, town, neighbourhood and region.

 Topic 1: My studies.

 Topic 2: Technology in everyday life.

 Topic 2: Social issues.

 Topic 2: Life at school/college.

 Topic 3: Free-time activities.

 Topic 3: Global issues.

 Topic 3: Education post 16.

Topic 4: Customs and festivals.

 Topic 4: Travel and Tourism.

 Topic 4: Jobs, career choices and ambitions.

 

Revision Resources for French GCSE:

  • Students will be provided with the login information to use Kerboodle from home, which is the AQA French Textbook online. They will have access to the vocabulary, pronunciation and to numerous activities to help them reach their targets.
  • Knowledge Organisers.
  • BBC Bitesize Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zr8bmfr
  • Oak National Academy Website: https://classroom.thenational.academy/subjects-by-key-stage/key-stage-4/subjects/french
  • Memrise App.
  • CGP GCSE French AQA Complete Revision & Practice Textbook. ISBN: 9781782945390

 

Revision Resources for Spanish GCSE:

  • Students will be provided with the login information to use Kerboodle from home, which is the AQA Spanish Textbook online. They will have access to the vocabulary, pronunciation and to numerous activities to help them reach their targets.
  • Knowledge Organisers.
  • BBC Bitesize Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zfckjxs
  • Oak National Academy Website: https://classroom.thenational.academy/subjects-by-key-stage/key-stage-4/subjects/spanish
  • Memrise App.
  • CGP GCSE Spanish AQA Complete Revision & Practice Textbook. ISBN: 9781782945482