French
Who does not know another language does not know his own.
(Goethe, Sprüche in Prosa)
Pupils can choose to learn French from Year 9. Pupils who opt for French benefit from an accelerated introduction to the language in preparation for continuing with the subject into Key Stages 4 and 5.
In Year 9
Pupils begin to develop the four key skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. These skills are introduced through the topics of:
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Introducing self and others
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School
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Free time and hobbies
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House and home
In Years 10 and 11 (GCSE AQA)
Pupils build on the work they have done in Year 9 and continue to develop the four key skills. At GCSE pupils build upon some Key Stage 3 topics and are introduced to new ones. The topics are:
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Leisure (free time and the media/holidays)
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Work and education (school, college and future plans/current and future plans)
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Lifestyle (relationships and choices/health)
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Home and local environment (environment/home and local area)
Pupils have two hours of taught time per week and individual sessions with the foreign language assistant.
In Years 12 and 13 (GCE AQA)
Students of French in the Sixth Form quickly notice a dramatic improvement in their understanding and ability to communicate. At this level students study French intensely, both in the classroom and through private study.
The topics for AS level are:
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Media
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Popular culture
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Healthy living and lifestyles
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Family and relationships
The topics for A2 level are:
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The environment
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The multicultural society
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Contemporary social issues
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Two cultural topics
Students have four to five hours of lesson time and an individual lesson with the foreign language assistant each week. Students are expected to follow up this work with private study of at least an equivalent time.
Additional Support
The French department is lucky enough to have a French native speaker each year who offers one-to-one lessons with our pupils to help improve speaking and listening skills and to offer a unique perspective into French language and culture.
Facilities
At Westholme pupils have a wide range of resources open to them to help them improve their language learning. The library is host to a designated languages computer suite and each language has a designated classroom. All language classrooms have interactive whiteboards. Each pupil is given their own text book at the beginning of the year.
Extra-curricular Opportunities
Each year the French department offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Extra-curricular activities help pupils to gain a deeper understanding of French language and culture. Recently we have organised a visit to Paris and there are regular visits to the theatre and cinema. All pupils in Years 11 - 13 can take part in our European Cinema Club which takes place on a weekly basis. Pupils have had the opportunity to interview French speaking players at Blackburn Rovers. Sixth Form students can choose to complete work experience in France.
Westholme's new Senior Boys' School from September 2012!
