Welcome to French
Why learn French?
In today’s world it is becoming increasingly important to speak a different language and being able to do so has many benefits:
- Open up a world of job opportunities: The world is changing fast and there are a growing number of careers which require people to be able to communicate with people in other countries. There are many courses at university which promote the study of a foreign language alongside another subject.
- Broaden your horizons: Have you thought about living and working in a different country?
- Develop your employability skills: Key employability skills such as listening, presenting, creativity, problem solving, aiming high, staying positive, teamwork and leadership are all enhanced through the study of a foreign language.
- A stepping stone to other languages: Learning French will give you an insight into how to learn a language. It will then be easier to learn a second language…or even a third!
- Communicate with other people in their own language: This will give you a different perspective next time you go on holiday. International travel is so much easier when you can speak a different language.
- Keep your brain healthy: research has shown that learning a language can help improve your memory and increase your attention span.
- Understanding and appreciating different cultures: Learning a language promotes a deeper understanding of other cultures as well as your own and helps to promote positive attitudes.
French Curriculum Overview
Please click the year group and half-term to view additional information.
Half Term 1 |
Knowledge |
Introductions |
Phonics |
nasals (on an en), SFC (ptsx), un/ une, oi, SFE, SFC v SFE, ç, j/ ge |
Vocabulary |
greetings, number, age, months, birthdays, school equipment, (family/ pets), personality, likes and dislikes |
opinions: |
j’aime + noun |
Grammar |
present tense |
full paradigms of avoir/ être |
gender of nouns: un/ une |
questions with raised intonation |
connectives: et, mais |
negatives: ne…pas as a phrase |
regular adjective endings as complement to verb |
intensifiers: assez, très, trop, un peu, vraiment |
aimer + definite article when expressing opinions |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Developing good pronunciation |
Asking questions with raised intonation |
Developing translation/ transcription skills at word level |
Listening for specific detail |
Expressing opinions with aimer + noun |
Links to prior learning |
builds on the KS2 national curriculum |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
CAP 1: Importance of learning a language |
CAP 2: personal information speaking assessment. |
CAP 3: end of unit assessment (LRWG) |
CAP 4: extended writing – me and others |
CAP 5: phonics |
Half Term 2 |
Knowledge |
A week in my life |
Phonics |
h/th qu, nasals (on en an un in), e v SFE, x-liaison, SFC, ch, SFC, u i/y, éau/ eau, eu |
Vocabulary |
school subjects and opinions, teachers’ personalities, numbers to 100, telling the time, timetables, free time - what you like doing/ what you do, weather |
opinions: |
aimer/ detester/ adorer + noun |
car c’est + adjective |
aimer + infinitive |
Grammar |
present tense |
full paradigms of regular -er verbs |
reference to paradigms of -ir and -re verbs |
irregular verb faire full paradigm |
gender of nouns – definite article |
connectives: et, mais, car |
adjectival endings (S & pl) as complement to verb |
aimer + infinitive |
negatives – ne…pas |
faire – impersonal verb (weather) |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Developing good pronunciation |
Expressing opinions: adorer, detester + noun |
Using connectives to extend sentences |
Manipulating regular -er verbs to talk about what other people do |
Manipulating the irregular verb ‘faire’ to talk about what other people do |
Links to prior learning |
opinions |
verb paradigms: -er/ -ir/ -re verbs + faire |
numbers |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
CAP 6: phonics, vocab and grammar summary |
CAP 7: extended writing – a school day |
CAP 8: extended writing – a week in my life |
Half Term 3 |
Knowledge |
My home |
Phonics |
r, -er (like é)ill/ ille, ville, nasals (on en an un in), e v SFE, SFC |
Vocabulary |
where I live, rooms, descriptions of house/ rooms, daily routine +time/ sequencers, breakfast food and drink |
opinions: |
aimer/ detester/ adorer + infinitive |
Grammar |
present tense |
reflexive verbs |
il y a…/ il n’y a pas de… |
definite/ indefinite articles |
demonstrative adjectives : ce cet cette ces |
‘in’ |
pre-nominal adjectives (BAGS adjectives) |
partitive article |
aimer/ adorer/ détester + infinitive |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Developing good pronunciation |
Expressing opinions using aimer + infinitive |
Links to prior learning |
opinions |
verb paradigms – réflexive verbs |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
CAP 9: creative writing – a poem |
CAP 10: end of year assessment (phonics +LSRWG) |
CAP 11: phonics, vocab and grammar summary |
Half Term 1 |
Knowledge |
My Holidays |
nasals (on en an un in) -gn, r, a, é, u, cognates with é/ SFC, SFE, SFC + nasal on, ou |
Vocabulary |
holidays: destination, accommodation, transport, activities,, weather |
opinions : (R) aimer + noun |
opinions : (R) aimer + noun + car/ parce que + adj |
opinions : (R) aimer + inf + car/ parce que + adj |
opinions : c’était…/ c’étaient + adj |
Grammar |
present tense |
perfect tense + avoir/ être verbs |
il y avait |
Il faisait + weather avoir/ être |
R) gender of nouns |
(R) un/ le, une/ la, des/ les |
(R) intensifiers : very, too, really, quite, a bit |
ne…pas + perfect tense |
(R) sequencers: first, then, after that, then, finally |
connectives: donc, quand |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Developing good pronunciation |
Links to prior learning |
avoir & être used for the perfect tense |
Using sequencers, connectives & intensifiers |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
extended writing – a past holiday |
speaking – discussion about a past holiday |
end of unit assessment (LRWG) |
Half Term 2 |
Knowledge |
My neighbourhood |
tion/ ssion, qu, liaisons. è/ ê, cognates with vowels, nasals (on om en an un in), eu/ ou, au eau o, ail/ aille, a, oi |
Vocabulary |
where I live – where I live, location, places in the town and descriptions, using prepositions, giving directions, using two tenses together, |
Grammar |
present tense |
perfect tense |
il y a…/ il n’y a pas (de)… |
pouvoir |
using two tenses together |
(R)habiter – full paradigm regular -er verbs |
(R) reflexive verbs |
(R)gender of nouns |
pre- & post- nominal adjectives & agreement |
prepositions |
imperatives - formal |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Developing good pronunciation |
Links to prior learning |
using two tenses |
talking about where I live |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
extended writing – a town |
Half Term 3 |
Knowledge |
My Future |
i/y, ç, h/th, ill/ille, ail/aille, nasals (on om en an un in |
Vocabulary |
future plans, future job and reasons, future holidays, using two tenses together, using three tenses together |
Grammar |
near future tense |
vouloir |
using two tenses together, |
aller – full paradigm |
vouloir |
no article when talking about jobs |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Developing good pronunciation |
Links to prior learning |
verb paradigms – aller – irregular verb |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
end of year assessment (LSRWG) |
phonics |
extended writing – my life |
Half Term 1 |
Knowledge |
My Lifestyle |
nasals (on om en an un in), a, i/y, SFC, eu, SFE, e, eu, au/ eau/o, ou, u, é |
Vocabulary |
daily routine, telling the time, food drink & opinions, making sentences negative, parts of the body, illness and injury, sports, expressing opinions in different ways, saying ‘you must’ |
Grammar |
(R)perfect tense |
(R)near future tense |
present tense |
il faut + infinitive |
reflexive verbs – |
manger/ boire – |
partitive article ‘some’ |
negatives: ne…pas, ne…jamais, ne…que, ne…personne, ne…rien |
avoir mal à (+ definite article) |
jouer à/ faire de + sports |
comparatives |
il faut + infinitive |
Skills / application of knowledge |
developing good pronunciation |
Links to prior learning |
daily routine and reflexive verbs |
opinions |
negatives |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
extended writing – my daily routine |
phonics |
end of unit - LR |
Half Term 2 |
Knowledge |
Me then and now |
è/ ê, ch ç, oi, qu, j/ge, tion/ ssion, liaisons, h/th, un/ une, gn, r, ill/ille, ail/ aille |
Vocabulary |
personality and comparisons, relationships, appearance, clothing, social media, technology, music preferences, TV |
Grammar |
present tense |
imperfect tense – habitual meaning |
regular/ irregular adjectives: position and agreement |
comparative adjectives |
reflexive verbs |
using the present and imperfect tenses together |
Skills / application of knowledge |
developing good pronunciation |
Links to prior learning |
personal descriptions, using adjectives, expressing opinions and preferences |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
extended writing – me then and now |
end of unit - LR |
Half Term 3 |
Knowledge |
Music & Technology |
nasals (on om en an un in), a, i/y, SFC, eu, SFE, e, eu, au/ eau/o, ou, u, é |
Vocabulary |
Musical instruments, instruments I play & why, music I like, describe type of music I like and why, describe favourite singer, how & when I listen to music, how I use technology, advantages & disadvantages of technology, |
Grammar |
Jouer de + instruments |
Opinions & justification |
Present tense |
Description vocabulary |
Direct object pronouns |
Adjectival agreement |
Skills / application of knowledge |
developing good pronunciation |
Links to prior learning |
Descriptions, opinions and justification, using present tense |
Assessment |
Regular vocabulary tests |
end of year assessment (LSRWG)phonics |
Half Term 4 |
Knowledge |
Timeline Holidays |
è/ ê, ch ç, oi, qu, j/ge, tion/ ssion, liaisons, h/th, un/ une, gn, r, ill/ille, ail/ aille |
Vocabulary |
production of a timeline demonstrating vocabulary and grammar from across all KS3 units |
Grammar |
perfect tense |
imperfect tense |
present tense |
near future tense |
all grammar from KS3 is recapped |
Skills / application of knowledge |
developing good pronunciation |
Links to prior learning |
consolidates the full KS3 curriculum |
Assessment |
regular vocabulary tests |
end of KS3 task – my timeline |
Half Term 1 |
Knowledge |
Ma vie en ligne |
Tu as une vie active ? |
Qu’est-ce que tu regardes ? |
Qu’est-ce qu’on va faire ? |
Qu’est-ce que tu as fait ? |
Jeux de la francophonie |
Explicit Grammar: |
· Present tense regular & irregular verbs |
· C’est + adjective (opinions) |
· On |
· Négatives : ne...pas, ne…rien ne...jamais, ne…personne in present/ perfect tenses |
· Quel, quelle, quels, quelles |
· Near future tense |
· Perfect tense |
Asking questions: intonation/ inversion of subject & verb/ addition of hyphen in perfect tense |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Discussing different points of view |
Listening & transcribing |
Predicting |
Role plays |
Telling the time |
Past tense opinions |
Asking questions: past tense |
Using present & perfect tenses together |
Links to prior learning |
Building on tenses: present, perfect, near future |
Expressing opinions |
Negatives |
Asking questions |
Assessment |
End mod 1 assessment |
regular vocab tests |
Half Term 2 |
Knowledge |
Une week-end en famille |
L’amitié est la clé du bonheur |
couleur famille |
La place des idoles |
famille, amour, gâteau |
Explicit Grammar: |
· reflexive verbs: present tense |
· on & nous = we |
· possessive adjectives |
· adjectival agreement |
· position of adjectives |
· emphatic pronouns (receptive) |
· direct object pronouns |
· present & perfect tenses contrasted & used together |
· irregular past participles |
adverb formation |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Using sequencers, qualifiers/ intensifiers |
Translating |
Describing a photo |
Using present, perfect and near future tenses |
Links to prior learning |
Reflexive verbs |
Adjectives: position and agreement |
Combining tenses |
Assessment |
end of mod 2 assessment |
regular vocab tests |
Half Term 3 |
Knowledge |
quelle est ta matière préférée ? |
c’est injuste |
as-tu fait des progrès ? |
souvenirs d’école |
les langues et l’avenir |
Explicit Grammar: |
· comparative adjectival structures: plus/moins…que |
· il faut + infinitive |
· il est (+adj) de + infinitive |
· irregular past participles |
· Negatives: perfect tense |
· superlatives |
· imperfect tense |
negatives: ne…aucun/ ne…ni…ni, ne…que |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Giving opinions with reasons |
Expressing opinions, agreeing/ disagreeing |
Spotting present/ perfect tense structures in a text |
Asking/ answering questions in imperfect tense |
Using imperfect, present and near future tenses together |
Links to prior learning |
Simple comparisons |
Perfect tense: past participles |
imperfect tense |
negatives |
Combining tenses |
Assessment |
End of mod 3 assessment |
regular vocab tests |
Half Term 4 |
Knowledge |
bon appetit ! |
bien dans ma peau |
ça ne va pas |
je change ma vie |
mieux vivre |
Explicit Grammar: |
· Partitive articles |
· Pronoun ‘en’ with present tense verbs |
· Imperatives: ‘tu’ form |
· Modals + inf (devoir pouvoir vouloir) |
· Negative modals |
· À + definite article |
· Avoir mal |
· Reflexive verbs: perfect tense |
· Simple future tense |
· Irregular verb forms across 3 tenses |
Negatives: ne…plus |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Spotting small words that change meaning |
Giving advice: imperatives |
Role playing |
Using more complex structures |
Using three timeframes: imperfect, present, simple future |
Listening for clues: tenses |
Links to prior learning |
Partitive articles |
negatives |
Combining tenses |
Assessment |
End of mod 4 assessment |
regular vocab tests |
Half Term 5 |
Knowledge |
des vacances de rêve4 |
on part pour la Corse |
le monde en fête |
guide de voyage |
vive les vacances |
Explicit Grammar: |
· conditional tense: -er verbs |
· irregular future stems |
· il vaut la peine |
· forming questions En/au countries |
· Que & qui |
· Using the imperfect tense and the perfect tense |
· Past tense of modal verbs |
· Opinions |
· Relative pronouns: qui/ que |
· ‘In’ |
· Modal verbs: perfect tense |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Extending sentences with added detail |
Giving advice: il vaut la peine de/ il vaut mieux |
Forming different types of questions |
Using perfect & imperfect tenses together |
Creating complex sentences using relative pronouns |
Identifying positive and negative opinions |
Links to prior learning |
Extending sentences |
Asking questions |
negatives |
Combining tenses |
Assessment |
End of mod 5 assessment |
regular vocab tests |
Half Term 1 |
Knowledge |
GCSE theme 3: My studies |
Recap: subjects and opinions/ justification |
GCSE theme 3: Life at school |
School uniform |
Describing the school day |
Describing school |
Compare schools in England and France |
School rules |
School trips |
GCSE theme 3: education post 16 & jobs, careers choices and ambitions |
Career choices |
Plans, hopes and wishes |
Applying for jobs |
Case studies: jobs |
Explicit Grammar: |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Comparisons. |
Third person singular/plural verbs. |
Il faut/ il est interdit de. |
Present, Past, Future time frames. |
The pronoun “on”. |
Job nouns. |
Better/Worse. |
The conditional. |
Perfect infinitive. |
Subjunctive. |
Direct object pronouns |
Verbs followed by à/ de. |
Complex sentences in the future tense. |
Links to prior learning |
clothes/ adjectives/ school/ future plans |
Assessment |
Full tiered mock 1 (Nov) – Use full past paper |
Half Term 2 |
Knowledge |
GCSE theme 2: Local, national, global and international areas of interest |
Recap sport, music, what makes you tick |
Problems facing the world |
Protecting the environment |
Ethical shopping |
Volunteering |
Big events |
GCSE theme 2: Home, town, neighbourhood, and region |
what would you change? |
Explicit Grammar: |
Skills / application of knowledge |
Faire. |
Opinions. |
Present, Past, Future. |
Making connections between word types. |
Modal verbs (devoir / pouvoir) in the conditional. |
The passive. |
Indirect object pronouns. |
Negatives |
Links to prior learning |
sport/ music/ opinions/ |
Assessment |
Full tiered mock 2 (Feb) – Use full past paper. |
Half Term 3 |
Knowledge |
Revision of units studied and exam preparation. |
Smith’s proforma – RAG the curriculum – address any Learning Gaps. |
Assessment |
Formal (terminal) GCSE – |