Designed to lay a strong foundation, this course introduces students to the vocabulary and grammar needed for the French GCSE. 

From mastering essential vocabulary and basic grammar to engaging in simple conversations, students will develop essential language skills that empower them to navigate real-life situations confidently and understand and practice the skills needed for the French GCSE exam. They will get the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of French life as they explore topics like daily routines, hobbies, family, and travel. Through interactive lessons, cultural insights, and practical exercises, this first year sets the stage for deeper linguistic exploration in the second year.

My teaching methods are based on old and new research in second language acquisition and pave the way for fluency in this dynamic and diverse language. I use sentence builders to support my students at every turn and provide them with 90% comprehensible input - limiting cognitive load and allowing students to make meaningful progress - leading to improved confidence in their linguistic abilities. We practice all 4 skills (reading, listening, writing, speaking) using lots of different types of activities and media, as well as practising exam-level questions throughout the course.

The course is taught over is 36 weeks and taught over 6 terms, each about 5-7 weeks long, with three 50-minute sessions each week.

Students who enrol later in the year will be given a catchup booklet with the sentence builders we have covered in class, any grammar handouts and resources to practise and catch up.