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Well, France is our nearest neighbour in Europe, so it is a country you are quite likely to visit. It will be much easier for you to communicate with French people if you can understand and speak some French, and it will make your stay more enjoyable and satisfying. You will be able to cope with shopping, buying souvenirs, eating out and much more!

Learning a language can also improve your job prospects in the future. These days, many companies are anxious to employ well- qualified young people with good language skills.

Learning a language also trains your mind in many important skills. You will need to concentrate very hard in lessons and learn to listen intently. You will learn how language is constructed and how languages differ from one another. We concentrate particularly on speaking skills and you will become quite confident about using French with the teacher and with your friends in class.

Course

The course you will be using is called “Expo”. It is the latest French course for Key Stage 3. During lessons, you will have access to the text book and all of the support materials. You will be issued with your own copy of the “Expo” workbook in addition to an exercise book.

You will be expected to take good care of your workbook and exercise book and must bring them to every lesson. You are not allowed to scribble or doodle in your books. If you do this, or if you lose your book(s), you will have to pay for replacements. Correction fluid is not to be used in your books.

The “Expo” text books are very expensive and we will expect you to look after them. Please refrain from turning down the edges of the pages and never mark the books in any way.

In class, you will need two pens, one blue and one red, for writing, and a pencil for drawing. You will also need to purchase a pocket-sized French-English dictionary for use in lessons and at home (we would recommend the Collins Gem dictionary).

Occasionally, felt tip pens, pencil crayons and scissors will be provided for your use in the classroom. You are responsible for looking after these resources and replacing them after use.

Our motto is “Compliance = Opportunities”. If you stick to the ground rules, your good behaviour will be rewarded with a merit.

Always write in blue ink and use red ink only when the teacher instructs you to do so
Draw with a pencil
Do not waste space
Write the date in French (your teacher will show you how to do this)
Write Travail de classe if it is class work and Devoir if it is homework
Always underline all headings with a ruler
If you make a mistake, cross it out and re-write. Never use correction fluid in any of your books
The front of your exercise book is used for class notes and homework. The back of your exercise book is used for listening exercises, games and planning

Write clearly in the spaces provided
Write in pencil first, check for any mistakes and erase them, then write in ink

French homework will be set once a week according to the school homework timetable. Some homework will be written, some learning. Usually it will be collected in to be marked by the teacher, but sometimes it will be checked in class. You may have homework to complete in your workbook or in your exercise book. Please try to get yourself in to a routine working pattern as quickly as possible. If you fail to do your homework at the right time, you will be placed in detention to complete the work. Your parents will be informed and your work will be marked as a late homework. If you are having problems with your homework, you must speak to your teacher as soon as possible. Never be afraid to ask for help! We don’t bite!

If you have been absent from school, you must speak to your teacher for advice. You will need to copy up the work you have missed from a friend as soon as possible

Your teacher keeps a record of your marks. Throughout the year you will be given opportunities to set yourself targets and assess your own learning. Good work is rewarded through the merit system. Work is graded as follows:

Regular tests will be set to ensure that you have understood the work. You will record your marks in your record of achievement in your school planner. Your progress will be checked against National Curriculum attainment targets for listening, speaking, reading and writing. In Year 7 you will be working at a range of levels between 1 and 3.

Please note that test scores are averaged out at the end of the school year. Your marks are very important as they help to decide which teaching group you will be placed in for languages in Years 8 and 9. Remember that other aspects are taken in to consideration when deciding which group to place you in- attention and concentration in class, effort and commitment are as important as good grades.

Merits are awarded for effort, good work and good behaviour. When your work is graded you are awarded points as follows:

If you get 9 points you are awarded a merit. Consistently good behaviour for each half term also earns you a merit. A merit can also be awarded spontaneously to a pupil for an exceptional effort at any time!