The French department teaches a broad range of skills in our lessons, with a focus on communication, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.

The study of French gives students an excellent intercultural understanding, develops literacy, builds confidence in all forms of communication as well as equipping the students with the knowledge of a very widely spoken foreign language which will serve them in their future lives and careers.

Students in Key Stage 3 will follow an intense programme of language learning from September 2024, with frequent lessons throughout the two week timetable to allow for greater exposure to the language and opportunities for retrieval and practise. This is widely accepted as the best approach to language learning, little and often. We will cover all of the SSC (sound-symbol correspondences) of the French language in year 7, allowing the students to build confidence in their pronunciation and demystifying the language. We will also focus on broadening vocabulary knowledge as well as laying the foundations of grammatical understanding of key concepts such as tenses and time frames, adjectival agreement, word order and pronouns. Students will begin to develop an understanding and awareness of culture in both France and the francophone world, which will continue to develop throughout their time learning French at MGS.

In Year 9, students will begin the GCSE course. The aim is to teach the course across year 9 and 10, then using year 11 to prepare thoroughly for speaking exams as well as building on prior learning to both consolidate knowledge and develop more advanced language skills.

Students who continue studying to A level will have the opportunity to learn about politics, history, geography as well as analysing a work of literature and a film in depth. They will learn to write extended essays in French, preparing them for language study at university.

The document linked below outlines how we have sequenced knowledge and skills in each academic year:

Enrichment

Click here to read our MGS Extra Prospectus and find out what clubs are on offer.

Click here to access the KS3 and KS4 French Super Curriculum.

Click here to access the KS5 French Super Curriculum.

Careers

Studying languages equips students for a huge variety of career paths. The communication skills and intercultural understanding which learners acquire are sought after across many areas of industry, as well as study skills that may be valuable on many degree courses – critical analysis, attention to detail, presentation skills and extended writing. French students at Maidstone Grammar School have gone on to careers in education, law, international business and journalism.

Career Ideas: Academic researcher, diplomatic service, EFL teacher, intelligence analyst, international aid/development worker, interpreter, political risk analyst, translator, teacher/lecturer, broadcast journalist, detective, education consultant, logistics/distribution management, marketing, Patent examiner, publishing, sales, tour manager and many more…

Click here to find out more about careers in French.

Key Stage 3

Over a fortnightly timetable, KS3 students receive:

  • 3 hours of guided learning (Latin band).
  • 4 hours of guided learning (Non-Latin band).
  • 1 hour of homework.

Key Stage 4

Qualification: GCSE French
Exam board: AQA

Over a fortnightly timetable, GCSE students receive:

  • 4 hours of guided learning.
  • 2 hours of homework.

Click here to find out more about this GCSE course.

Key Stage 5

Qualification: A Level French
Exam board: AQA

Over a fortnightly timetable, A Level students receive:

  • 10 hours of guided learning.
  • 10 hours of homework.

Click here to read more about this course.