1. WJEC GCSE French 2009 - 2011

2. Why take French? Click on this link and watch the video: http://www.whystudylanguages.ac. uk/ks4/why_languages

3. Our top ten reasons: 1. English is not enough! Not everyone speaks or wants to speak English. 9. Using a language at work could raise your salary from 8-20%. 2. A language will always be useful, no matter what you do. 3. In class, you get to study a wide range of topics all about different people and cultures, not just how to speak. You also get first priority to visit Disneyland Paris in Year 10 4. You can read books, watch films and listen to songs in their native language - and understand them too! 5. Languages mean business - being able to speak a language will make you really stand out 6. They’re good for you! Speaking more than one language increases your brain capacity, improves your memory and you'll be at less risk of developing Alzheimer’s. 7. It’s really impressive to be able to speak a foreign language. It's a real achievement that your friends will envy and employers will love! 10.Learning languages really improves your communication skills. 8. You can understand and talk to lots more people when you go abroad.

4. The Wider World Travel and holidays, media, social issues (e.g. life of young people today, homelessness, crime, drugs, healthy living, religion, politics), life in the countries and communities where the language is spoken. The World of Work Work experience, part-time jobs, future careers, technology (sending messages, accessing information) Personal and Social Life Self, family, friends, home life, shopping, meals, healthy living, illness and accident, free time, fashion, relationships, future plans. The content that will be studied will cover the following broad contexts: The Local Community Home town, school, education, local environment, pollution, recycling, local facilities, comparisons with other towns and regions, weather and seasons.

5. Unit 1: Listening (20%) Written Paper: held in a classroom in school in June during the exam period Foundation -35 minutes Higher -45 minutes All questions will be in English, and you will answer in English Each item will be heard twice No dictionaries allowed

6. Unit 2: Speaking (30%) Tests take place in class and are examined and marked by teacher, with samples sent off to the WJEC for moderation You will sit 2 Speaking tests: Part 1: Structured Conversation (4-5 minutes) Have a conversation lasting 4-5 minutes withyour teacher based on a concept web (mindmap) with key words. You will see the concept web 2 weeks before the test and can prepare over those 2 weeks Part 2: Presentation (2-3 minutes) followed by a discussion (3-4 minutes) Give a presentation to your teacher based on a topic chosen and researched by you. This will last 2-3 minutes. This will be followed by a discussion with the teacher on your chosen topic, which will last 3-4 minutes. You can take in 30 words, and pictures or a small prop or powerpoint to help you. (no time limit for preparation)

7. Unit 3: Reading (20%) Written Paper: held in a classroom in school in June during the exam period Foundation -35 minutes Higher -45 minutes The paper will include box-ticking, multiple choice and matching. The kind of reading items you will see in the paper are written public notices and signs, magazines or newspaper articles and personal information, such as that found in letters, notes, e-mails or messages. No dictionaries allowed All questions will be in English, and you will answer in English

8. Unit 4: Writing (30%) 2 pieces of writing from different contexts. Written in class – 1 hour for each piece All writing sent off and marked by WJEC Dictionaries allowed 40 words of notes as bullet points can be used during the test (in French or English) 2 weeks will be allowed between seeing the task and writing it out in class under exam conditions. Grades C-A* = at least 200 words each (400-600 words for both) Grades G-D = at least 100 words per piece (200- 300 words for both)

9. Bonne chance! Bonne courage!