French

The French Department at Queen Elizabeth's School offers lively lessons supported by impressive resources, as well as a wide range of opportunities outside school to learn the language and explore French culture.

The department has interactive whiteboards in every classroom. There is a large selection of French films and French magazines which are used both to teach language and to reinforce the teaching of culture and heritage.

We use the Expo course at Key Stage 3 and Metro at Key Stage 4. At A Level, we use Schaum's Grammar and a variety of other materials, including Au Point and Authentik.

We provide additional support through our weekly French clinic, although in fact pupils can ask for extra help at any time. We also offer additional oral examination practices prior to formal tests. For boys wishing to take the subject at Oxbridge level, there is a comprehensive programme of support led by the Head of Department.

There are many opportunities for our pupils to make contact with native French speakers. Over 50 boys each year take up the chance to make pen friends at our French link school, Jean-Baptiste de Ia Salle in Rouen. Boys in Year 9 are offered an exchange. They can go for a week or a fortnight to stay with a French family in Rouen. Boys in Years 7-10 can enjoy a week in Normandy at the Chateau de Ia Baudonniêre. This is an adventure holiday run by French-speaking organisers who ensure boys are practising their language as well as their sports. Year 12 students have the opportunity to participate in work experience in France: recent placements have been at offices, shops and a radio station, for example.

The French Department runs a weekly debating society for Year 12 students called the European Youth Parliament. This produces young French speakers of the highest calibre: a QE team was recently selected to represent the South-East after seeing off ten other schools in a formidable competition at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

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