Extra-curricular Languages Programme - Course Outlines
French 1
French 1 (Fast Track)
French 2
French 3A
French 3B
French 4A
French 4B
Extra-curricular Languages Programme
French 1
This course is designed for complete beginners and is based around topics such as:
- personal details
- shopping
- directions
- telling the time
There will be a new topic introduced every two weeks, with revision the following week. Vocabulary is based on the Talk French series of television programmes, and an edited version of the series will be shown every week. The emphasis will be mainly on spoken French.
French 1 (Fast Track) - Course Outline
This course is intended for complete beginners or those with very little knowledge of the language, but who are well motivated and prepared to learn vocabulary and put in some work between classes.
The aim is to reach a level of basic survival competence.
The emphasis is on oral communication and active participation. The course covers a range of everyday situations likely to be encountered when in France such as:
- Ordering food and drinks
- Acquiring accommodation
- Asking the way
- Shopping
- Small talk about yourself and others
At this level, only very basic grammar is covered for a better understanding of the language (questions, negation, possessive adjectives, the present tense of a few important verbs).
Activities are varied and involve pair and group work. The use of worksheets, handouts, videos etc in the classroom will help to encourage confidence in speaking and listening.
In class three skills are practised, i.e. speaking, listening and reading. Most written work is done at home.
There is no text book for this course.
Talk French BBC video programmes are shown in class. There is a booklet with CD available for beginners in the Learning Resources Centre or you can access it on line on www.bbc.co.uk/languages.
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French 2
This course is designed for those who have attended a beginners' course or who have a little knowledge of French, and is based on topics in the Voilà coursebook, as well as texts to read. The emphasis will be mainly on spoken French. After revision of the present tense, much work will be done on the perfect tense; the imperfect tense of avoir, être and faire will also be introduced.
Voilà, Crispin Geoghegan & Jacqueline Geoghegan, Hodder Arnold H&S
ISBN: 0340813679
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French 3A
This course is for those who have done levels 1 & 2; it is also suitable for students with basic GCSE or very rusty O Level French, or who can "get by" reasonably well and who wish to improve their fluency. Various areas of France will be studied, along with some aspects of French culture. Grammar will cover all the main tenses, revising the present and perfect tense and continuing with the imperfect, future and conditional, as well as useful phrases needed for communication. No coursebook will be required, though it is suggested that students who wish to have one go for:
Voici, Jacqueline Gonthier & Crispin Geoghegan, Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 0340688483
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French 3B
This course is intended for those who already have a good grasp of the language (good GCSE / 2-3 years study) and who are well motivated and prepared to work in their own time to consolidate their knowledge and progress to advanced language work.
The aims of the course are to:
- consolidate existing knowledge
- extend range and complexity of vocabulary and grammar on most topics that are familiar or of personal interest
- improve fluency
- work towards Level 4
The emphasis is on conversation and active participation. The course covers a range of situations likely to be encountered when in France such as:
- Meeting people
- Talking about pastimes and hobbies
- Referring to your daily routine
- Receiving and initiating phone calls
- Making appointments
Competence in using all tenses done to date will be revised and the subjunctive mood and passive voice will be introduced, along with more complex structures and idioms.
In class three skills are practised, i.e. speaking, listening and reading. Most written work is done at home. The tutor will use some topical news items for discussion, helping students to prepare for work at Level 4.
The use of worksheets, handouts, DVD and the internet in the classroom will help to encourage confidence in speaking, reading and listening.
Textbook (purchase advised): Breakthrough French 3 (Euro Edition) ISBN 1403916764
This course is for those who have studied the language for 3 - 4 years or who feel they already have a fairly good level through study in the past. Work is of approximately ‘A’ level standard and will equip participants with more sophisticated conversational skills in the language.
Extensive use is made of French TV news broadcasts, magazine articles, films, songs and cartoons as a stimulus for discussion. Topics include current affairs, politics and culture and the emphasis is on exposure to and active production of the language. Advanced grammatical features may be practised, but the main aim is to improve fluency and variety of expression.
This course is for those who have studied the language for 4 or more years or who may have lived in a French speaking country and achieved a high level of proficiency. Work is of post ‘A’ level standard and will introduce greater linguistic sophistication to discussions.
Extensive use is made of French TV news broadcasts, magazine articles, films, songs and cartoons as a stimulus for discussion. Topics include current affairs, politics and culture and the emphasis is on exposure to and active production of the language. Advanced grammatical features may be practised, but the main aim is to improve fluency and variety of expression.