French
Why study Modern Languages?
- Languages give you the edge in the job market
- Languages are a life skill
- Languages teach you communication skills and adaptability
- Languages teach you cultural awareness and understanding
- Languages give you a sense of achievement
- Languages are a social skill
- Learning languages gives you greater opportunities to travel and work abroad
- Languages combine well with virtually any other subject for further study
French in WHS
S1-S2: each pupil is given an exercise jotter, a vocabulary jotter, and a printed vocabulary booklet for use at home. In class, they have access to an appropriate textbook and a workbook of exercises.
The course consists of six modules, and includes dialogues, songs, a wide range of listening, speaking, reading and writing activities, and notes on grammar. Vocabulary is noted and learned, and new grammar points are studied and practiced, through exercises in the four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. Pupils also regularly make posters in class or as homework to consolidate their learning in a targeted topic.
As well as classwork, homework is expected as an essential part of the learning process. Sometimes homework involves completing a worksheet, or a written exercise. More often, pupils are given vocabulary to learn at home, and it is important that the pupils memorize accurately, learning spelling as well as pronunciation. Pupils usually benefit more from revising for ten minutes every day, even when they don’t have French, than from doing an hour’s homework in one sitting, once a week. Linguascope.com is also accessible from home – the password and the username are available from teachers.
Support from parents/guardians can be given to children in a number of ways:
- by checking that they have learned their vocabulary. “Spelling Tennis” is a fun way of doing this!
- by encouraging your child to explore French culture through travel, food, cinema, the Internet etc.
- by showing how proud you are of their achievement, even if you have no knowledge of French. Perhaps you could learn along with them?
S3: In S3 pupils have the choice between continuing with French or switching to Language for Life. The French course is more academic, and will equip pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to take national qualifications, if they so choose, in S4. The Language for Life is a consolidation course, more culturally-based, and is intended for pupils who do not expect to continue in the department after S3. In Languages for Life, we learn about France, and French-speaking countries throughout the world, and their cultures and ways of life.
S4 – S6: Pupils who have taken French in S3 can continue in S4 – S6 to gain SQA- approved national qualifications, namely National 4/5, Higher. These qualifications are highly valued by employers, colleges and universities.
Both French teachers will be happy to talk further to any pupils who are considering their options and would like to know more.