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French
Head of French: Mrs C Fourey-Jones
Miss C Benfield
Mrs A Huddart
Mrs A Lippett
Miss G Stuart
Foreign Language Assistant: Mlle L Dubois
The
aim of French lessons is to bring the country alive for girls, making
learning French meaningful and fun. We endeavour to impart the
excitement of language learning and instil the confidence to
communicate effectively in French in any situation in which a girl
might find herself during a visit to a French-speaking country.
All lessons are conducted in French as far as possible. We encourage
girls to respond in the Target Language.
Lower School
We follow the Encore Tricolore course in Years 7, 8 and 9. The
four skills of the French language (listening, speaking, reading and
writing) are taught and practised.
We aim to encourage creativity and to stimulate the girls. Poetry
competitions, reading competitions, the French Club and quizzes are run
on a regular basis.
Upper School - GCSE
By Year 10, the girls should have reached a good level of
autonomy and developed their study skills. Many topics are revisited in
greater depth and the girls are given the necessary linguistic tools to
help them in practical situations such as complaining, reporting
incidents, being treated for illness, job interviews, decision making
etc. Thanks to a wide range of acquired vocabulary and expressions, the
girls should be able to infer and draw conclusions rather than just
look up the answer. Examination techniques are practised regularly.
We offer the OCR syllabus and aim to enter the girls for the Higher
Tier.
The French Language Assistant
The French Language Assistant conducts small conversation classes in
Years 10, 11, 12 and 13. Pupils eagerly welcome this opportunity to
talk French and to learn about France from a young native French
speaker.
Sixth Form - AS/A2 level
The main themes are cross curricular and include topics such as
contemporary, social and political issues, leisure and the arts, travel
and the media, current affairs, literature. A sound interest in these
matters, a will to communicate and a determination to work hard are key
factors for success.
Visits and Exchanges
A short trip to Paris is organised for younger pupils in Year 7
while Years 9, 10 and 11 have an opportunity to take part in a six day
trip to France, staying with a host family, attending lessons in the
morning and going on excursions in the afternoons. Activities organised
for Sixth Formers include work experience in France, as well as a study
trip, conferences and activities within the Dame Alice/Bedford School
French Society. These aim to complement and extend students' classroom
studies.