French
Pupils continue to develop the four skills of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing started in the Junior School. They learn to write and speak about themselves, their family, their school and their hobbies and develop their reading and listening skills by expanding their vocabulary. Their Speaking is developed by communicating with their teacher and their classmates in the target language and their listening skills are developed with the use of CDs, television programmes and computer based activities. We try to develop each pupil's confidence in the language to prepare them forr class interactions in their target language in Senior School.
SI-SII
Pupils continue using the Metro 1 course started in Transitus. This develops the four skills of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. The pupils are introduced to new grammar points and a variety of everyday vocabulary and phrases which allow them to express themselves more fully in their oral work and to develop their ideas in written tasks. They are also introduced to websites and are given the opportunity to work independently learning new vocabulary and practising grammar in a lively way. Assessment tests the four skills.
SIII-SIV Standard Grade
The French course develops the four skills of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Speaking is developed gradually through prepared presentations, role play and discussion. Writing is assessed by means of a folio generated from class work. In Reading, pupils read short French texts and answer questions in English and in Listening, pupils listen to recordings of French extracts and answer questions in English. The overall grade in French is determined by giving Reading and Speaking (class-based) double the weighting of Listening and Writing.
SV/SVI Higher
The aim of the course is to develop linguistic competence in the four areas of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing through the study of various social and personal topics of relevance to the pupils. These topics are grouped into three themes: Lifestyles; Education and Work; and the Wider World. Pupils study a literary text to introduce them to extended reading and cultural appreciation.
An integrated approach to the topics, incorporating detailed analysis of written and recorded material, class discussion in the foreign language and essay work, enables students to build their linguistic competence in order to use the language to communicate. Grammatical concepts learned for Standard Grade are broadened to equip pupils for the various types of written work they are required to complete. The course comprises one 80-hour unit (Language) and one 40-hour unit (Extended Reading and Viewing) which are taught concurrently.
SVI Advanced Higher
The aim of the course is to offer progressive development in the four skills of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing in a widening range of contexts. The topics covered are grouped into three themes: Personal, Social and Cultural issues; Topical issues; and Environmental issues. Literary appreciation is extended with the study of a literary text and personal study of a background topic.
The course comprises one 80-hour unit (Language) and one 40-hour unit (Extended Reading and Viewing) taught concurrently. The skills of Speaking and Writing place an emphasis on discussion and the presentation of arguments. Fluency and accuracy are expected. The Extended Reading and Viewing unit develops skills in literary appreciation and the background study encourages independent learning.