Year 9 Subject Guide 2020

LANGUAGE ACQUISITION – FRENCH In Years 9 and 10, the study of a second language is compulsory. Students are grouped in various Language Acquisition Phases according to their placement on the Continuum, matching their level of language competence as assessed by their teachers. Students are grouped into phases based on their achievement in French in Year 8. Student phases will be reviewed at the end of each semester and year, to ensure that students are studying the language at a level appropriate for their competency. During these two years, the French course builds on experiences in language learning that students have gained in previous years. The language study will encourage positive attitudes towards, and involvement with, people in different communities and countries. Students will acquire language-learning strategies to help them to cope with unfamiliar language. Other objectives of the course are to develop in students a sense of their responsibility as global citizens and to foster a lifelong interest in language learning. All Year 9 students will progress to Touché 4, which continues the light-hearted approach to communicative language teaching adopted in Years 6, 7 and 8 in the preliminary phases of the MYP course. The cartoon format is used as the main focus of the cultural context of each chapter, with the characters heading off to interesting places in France and other French-speaking countries. Topic areas for the course include self; family and friends; hobbies; food; holidays; directions; French cultural contexts. French students in Year 10 who are keen to improve their linguistic proficiency will be offered the chance to host a French Exchange Student as the opportunity arises.

Assessment Outline: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

The four communicative language skills used for summative assessment in both courses are equally weighted. Students will be expected to do homework regularly; however, no assignments will be used for assessment purposes. All speaking tests will be conducted in class during normal lessons.

• Criterion A – Comprehending spoken and visual text (maximum 8 marks) Comprehension and interpretation questions based on audio-visual material. • Criterion B – Comprehending written and visual text (maximum 8 marks) Comprehension and interpretation of website, magazine articles, brochures.

• Criterion C – Communicating in response to spoken, written and visual text (maximum 8 marks) Interactive orals in response to stimulus, written passages such as diary entries; informal and formal letters/emails; articles; brochures. • Criterion D – Using language in spoken and written form (maximum 8 marks) Interactive orals in response to stimulus, written passages such as diary entries; informal and formal letters/emails; articles; brochures (questions and answers in French).

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