French is offered as a 'fast-track' option to Year 9 students who showed a good aptitude (achieving a grade 5 or above) in Spanish or German in Year 8. This course is fast-paced and students are expected to carry out independent revision work outside of the classroom to supplement their learning and progress in French. 

Students progress in the three pillars of phonics, vocabulary and grammar. The key topics covered this year are:

• Introductions
• School life
• Family and pets
• Where I live
• Cultural study and a film review

• Develop communication skills through the study of a second language.
• Develop the knowledge and understanding of different cultures around the world.
• Enhance the life skills of learners through challenging activities.

• Teacher-led activities
• Pair and group work
• Online vocabulary and grammar learning
• Independent research

• Each half term students will be tested on two of the four skills
• Homework and classwork will be monitored

• Talk to them about their learning
• Support them with their homework—test them on their vocabulary

• Pens, pencils, ruler and exercise book. A dictionary would also be useful.

• Lunchtime language clubs
• National competitions—Spelling Bee

• Year 9 French students have the opportunity to take part in an educational visit to Normandy in France.

  Students in Year 9 also have the opportunity to apply to be a UVHS Language Ambassador. In this role, students help to promote Languages across the school, including leading competitions, speaking in assemblies and supporting our feeder primary school students in learning Spanish. 

  At the end of Year 9, all students are encouraged to continue studying a foreign language at GCSE, as this will help them to achieve EBacc certificate and develop their global citizenship, employability and intercultural understanding.