French

In these days of globalisation and communication, learning a language is becoming more and more important. Pupils need to be able to speak one or even two languages if they are to succeed in their chosen careers.  Indeed, even if their chosen career is in engineering or architecture if they want to get one step ahead of their peers then being able to communicate in another language gives them a certain edge. 

French has always played an important part in education, and rightly so. The map below shows just how many countries have French as their mother tongue, or where French is the official language. 

At Dauntsey's all pupils have the opportunity to learn French from the First Form.  After the initial carousel system, where French, German, Latin and Spanish are studied, pupils then chose to continue with three languages in the Second Form, before they finally narrow their choice down to two languages in the Third Form.  It is hoped that all our linguists will continue with two languages up to GCSE. 

Pupils who continue with French to GCSE and beyond are able to take part in two trips, an exchange, for the Fourth Form, and a language study trip, which is for Fifth and Sixth Form only.  Pupils who have learnt French at Dauntsey's over a period of seven years will leave the school with the ability to communicate in French, read widely in the language - not just magazines, but literature too, and will share with us a passion for French culture; art, music, cuisine, fashion and cinema.  Not least, they will be able to participate in all these things in French and will thus be able to get closer to the people of France and La Francophonie.  Literally, a whole new world will open up to them.

The French Department is made up of 3 full time members of staff, one French language assistant and other members of staff from the Spanish and German Departments can and often do take on classes across the age range.

Follow these links for information about the French Department syllabus for The Lower School, GCSE and AS/A2

Home Page
(Page d'accueil)

Trips

Le Grand Fromage
(French Magazine)

Events