Teacher in Charge: Miss T. Clarke.
Recommended Prior LearningYear 10 French or equivalent (A1 level on the Common European Framework for Languages).
We…
The topics we look at in Year 11:
- About Me: Who am I? – Revision and Introducing myself to penpals.
- Free-time activities – What do I like to do in my free-time? What did I not like to do? What shopping do I do? What do I wear?
- Me, my family, friends and relationships – Who do I get along with? Why? Who do I not get along with? What is my daily routine like? How would I describe myself and other people?
- Home and New Zealand –Your town, your house, houses in France, transport, furniture, comparisons.
- Chores - Which chores do I do? Which did I used do? Which am I going to do?
- Healthy living – Healthy habits, food, body parts, injuries.
- My future - my future studies, travelling, professions.
- NaNoWriMo - writing your own story.
In Year 11 French, we complete one NCEA standard, which is the Interaction. Students record 3 conversations in French with someone in their class and about topics learnt in class. Across the interactions, students only have to speak for 2 to 3 minutes, however most students will have spoken for at least 6 minutes. Students choose their best interaction and they then gain 5 NCEA credits.
We also develop our reading, listening and writing skills. We use readings and listenings from our textbooks as well as past NCEA exams since they use the vocabulary that we are learning throughout the year. This also helps to familiarise students with the NCEA Reading and :istening style for NCEA Level 2. Students will regularly write in French in class as well as for school assessments. They will receive feedback in different forms: sometimes direct corrections and other times, they will be shown where their errors are and they will be given opportunities to correct them.
Why should I keep studying a language/French?
It's fun!
You can try new food.
Year 11 is more relaxed.
It brings you new experiences.
You can stretch your brain in new ways.
You become close friends with your classmates.
You start to really see your French knowledge grow.
You learn more about yourself and your own culture(s).
French is an official language in many international organisations.
Learning a language helps you to understand English/your other language(s).
Not many people who grow up in NZ speak French, so it will mean you stand out.
Unfortunately, once you drop a language, it is highly unlikely that you will ever become fluent in it, because you will never have regular classes like this again. Starting a language at university doesn't give you long enough to become fluent. However, studying a language at university (as a major, minor, elective, certificate or diploma) after studying it at high school strengthens your language knowledge incredibly.
Languages are extremely relevant if you are thinking of entering politics, doing law, business, medicine or sport.
Who knows where life will take you! You may end up in a job working with French clients or moving to a French-speaking country.
Politics: you are likely to need to talk to people from other countries to achieve what you want to achieve or to learn about what other countries do.
Business: Our closest neighbour is New Caledonia, which is French-speaking. French Polynesia is also close by. Many NZ businesses wanting to expand look at these places as we are their closest big neighbour, which means they want our products and businesses. It's much easier to expand to those countries if you speak their language.
Medicine: People from New Caledonia and French Polynesia are regularly transported to NZ for medical care. Refugees also need medical care. Can you imagine how scary it would be if you don't understand the doctor or the nurse?
Law: French-speaking refugees come to NZ. They may need your help.
Sport: Many training camps, clubs or competitions run out of Europe and in particular around France, Switzerland, Andorra and Belgium, where French is spoken. It makes it a lot easier to contracts and to work with teammates if you speak French.
A Year 11 Interaction Example:
Term 1
- About Me (Revision)
Revision and Introducing myself to penpals.
- Hobbies
What do I like to do in my free-time? What did I not like to do? What shopping do I do? What do I wear?
Term 2
- Me, my family, friends and relationships
Who do I get along with? Why? Who do I not get along with? What is my daily routine like? How would I describe myself and other people?
- Houses
Your town, your house, houses in France, transport, furniture, comparisons.
Term 3
- Chores
Which chores do I do? Which did I used do? Which am I going to do?
- Health
Healthy habits, food, body parts, injuries.
Term 4
- Future studies
My future studies, travelling, professions.
- NaNoWriMo
Writing your own short story.
After Year 11, you can continue to study French at Years 12 and 13. Years 12 and 13 enable you to become "fluent" in French. If you keep up with your vocabulary learning, you will start to be able to say everything you want to say in French. You may not know the best way of saying it, but you will know enough to find a way to say it.
Becoming fluent in French is an end in itself but it is also a stepping stone to learning other languages, an invaluable skill to support any career and it's that extra aspect that employers look for in their employees. It enables you to stand out from other candidates. Regardless of your intended career, French will open doors to exciting new opportunities that would not otherwise be available to you. Let's not forget that French is spoken in over 50 countries around the world.
Optional but highly recommended: $28 Education Perfect (Note: One charge for all languages).
Students must also purchase a 1B5 exercise book (approximately $2.00) and two whiteboard markers for when we do whiteboard activities.
Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities. These cost between $1.50 and $14 depending on the food that the student chooses.
Description | Type | Value |
---|---|---|
Education Perfect | Voluntary | $28.00 |
$28.00 |
We aim to enable every student to have the course that they prefer, however, some courses have limited places or pre-requisits that may restrict the student's choice.