French
At TALA our Languages Department aspires to ignite a lifelong passion for language learning and intercultural understanding in every student. We believe that learning a new language is not just an academic pursuit, but a gateway to global citizenship, empathy, and opportunity.
Our vision is for pupils to develop confidence, curiosity, and competence in modern foreign languages. Through high quality, engaging teaching, enrichment experiences, and real-world connections, we aim to empower all learners to:
- Communicate meaningfully and confidently in French/Spanish.
- Appreciate and respect diverse cultures, perspectives, and global communities.
- Develop transferable skills in problem-solving, memory, creativity, and resilience.
- See language learning as a key to unlocking future academic, professional, and personal growth.
We follow the Pearson prescribed curriculum at KS3 and KS4 which is underpinned by interleaving and retrieval practice so that our linguists are able to revisit and build upon existing knowledge. Lessons are structured to incorporate all skills required of the modern linguist in terms of Listening, Speaking, Reading (comprehension and aloud), Writing and Translating. Vocabulary and grammatical structures that are introduced at KS3 are seen as building blocks for more in-depth learning at KS4 (and as a solid foundation for further study at KS5). Content includes engaging and relevant topic areas including the use of authentic resources and a strong focus on building pupil’s cultural capital of Francophone countries.
Overview
| Year | Term | Topic(s) |
|
| Year 7 | Autumn |
Introduction to French sounds and grammar Basic vocabulary: numbers, colours, time Talking about yourself: name, age, personality Likes and dislikes Talking about school: subjects, uniform, school day | |
| Spring |
Basic Vocabulary: weather/seasons/animals/higher numbers Talking about your free time Sport in Francophone countries Describing your family Describing your local area Breakfast routines |
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| Summer |
Saying where you go at the weekend Saying what you are going to do Inviting people out Ordering food End of year exams |
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| Year 8 | Autumn |
Talking about media and entertainment Narrating past events using sequencers Movie Unit Saying what you can do in Paris Discovering key tourist attractions in Paris |
|
| Spring |
Talking about identity, clothes, interests, where I live, food and events |
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| Summer |
Talking about talent and ambition Saying who is the best, the least in relation to talent contests Film unit World geography and French speaking countries |
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| Year 9 | Autumn |
Talking about social media Arranging to go out Describing a music event |
Learning parts of the body Talking about sports and plans to get fit Describing levels of fitness |
| Spring |
Describing jobs Learning languages Saying what you used to do Discussing holidays and what happened on holiday and tourist destinations |
||
| Summer |
Discussing rights and what is important to you Film module Revision End of year exams |
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| Year 10 | Autumn |
Exploring events in the Francophone world Online activities Free time activities Using the present, past and future tense |
Identity Family and friendship Celebrities Family celebrations |
| Spring |
School life Subjects School rules Schools in Francophone countries Learning languages |
Healthy living Meals and mealtimes Mental health Unhealthy lifestyle choices Using the imperfect tense |
|
| Summer |
Holidays Dream holidays Holiday activities Festivals Accommodation on holiday |
Our planet Geography and climate Environmental problems Protecting the environment Green technology |
|
| Year 11 | Autumn |
Describing your local area Asking for/giving directions Clothes shopping Talking about your dream house |
|
| Spring |
Talking about future/career/summer plans Discussing different jobs Talking about reality TV and influencers Preparation for the mock Speaking exam Mock exams and feedback Revision and exam practice |
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| Summer |
Mock feedback Preparation and recording of the Speaking exam GCSE examinations |
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Qualification Details
| Exam Board | AQA |
| Course Title and Syllabus |
GCSE French has a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9). Students study all of the following themes on which the assessments are based:
|
Details of Papers |
Listening – 25% of GCSE
Speaking – 25% of GCSE
Reading – 25% of GCSE
Writing – 25% of GCSE
|