We aim to develop every child’s ability to understand and communicate effectively in the target language while promoting cultural awareness and tolerance. Although grammatical accuracy is strongly encouraged, we focus on developing the pupils’ confidence and ability to use the language independently and spontaneously through creative activities and fun language games. Every child’s effort and participation is valued and individual successes are celebrated, irrespective of the pupil’s ability.
French is a core subject at Taverham Hall School. It is introduced in Year 2 before becoming fully included in the Prep School curriculum all the way to Year 8, when students prepare for the Common Entrance or/and Scholarship exams required by Senior Schools.
Pupils study 5 main key areas throughout their time at Taverham Hall:
- Personal description, family, friends, pets and meeting people
- House, home, town, local area, daily routine and chores
- Free-time, transport, weather, tourist information and holiday activities
- Life and work at school, jobs, future plans
- Food, drink, health, clothes, shopping, numbers and prices
We use the textbook “So you really want to learn French” published by Galore Park to support our Scheme of Work along with a range of French magazines, language DVDs, story books, languages interactive websites and other up to the minute materials.
In our effort to personalise the children’s learning, self and peer assessments are used on a regular basis and a wide variety of activities – many of them facilitated by our brand new interactive whiteboards – enable us to keep enthusiasm and motivation high while catering for all learning styles. Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing skills are being developed equally and activities and expectations are tailored to the needs of all children whatever their ability.
European Day of Languages
Multiculturalism is a key feature of our modern world and we celebrate the European Day of Languages every year in September with special assemblies, European lunch menus, karaoke in different languages, quizzes and various inter-house competitions such as the CILT Linguabat Challenge and a very successful pétanque tournament.
French play
We invite a Professional Language Theatre Company to perform a play in French in front of our younger learners every year. This always provides the children with a great boost of confidence and offers invaluable opportunities for cultural awareness. Last October, the Onatti Theatre company delighted our young audience with “Ecris-moi”, the funny story of a special friendship between an English boy and a French girl.
French Breakfast
Parents of Year 2 pupils are invited to a French breakfast every year in June. They enjoy being waited on by their children (in French!) and can enjoy a musical treat of traditional French songs being performed by our own little budding Francophiles!
Ciné Club
Every Friday lunch time, pupils can come and watch cartoons or films in French with English subtitles on. We have so far watched “Ratatouille”, “les Indestructibles” and “Harry Potter à l’Ecole des Sorciers”.
Japan Club
This new hobby was launched in the Autumn term and widened the children’s horizons by introducing them to the basics of the Japanese language and culture. These are a few examples of the activities that were organised: sushi making, designing a kimono, learning how to greet people and introducing oneself, watching a Studio Ghibli anime, learning how to count, Japanese calligraphy, Hiragana and Katakana alphabets, origami, etc.
Annual trip to France in Years 7 and 8
Trips to France are essential to provide the children with authentic opportunities to practise their linguistic skills in real life situations and they also help to broaden their cultural awareness. Last year, Years 7 and 8 spent four activity-packed days on the Opal Coast where they had many opportunities to interview real French people and get a taste for life in France. This year, we explored the French capital, Paris.