FRENCH

Bonjour et Bienvenue à St. Wolstan’s.

French has a long and proud tradition in St. Wolstan’s, with a number of past pupils going on to study French at third level. French is also the second most important working language (after English) in the E.U. and as a first or second language, French is widely spoken in the many countries that make up ‘La Francophonie.’

First Year and Junior Certificate French:
In First Year, students are introduced to the French language and French culture and civilisation. The aim is to develop in the students, an appreciation and interest in the language and people of France and the wider speaking French community worldwide. In terms of language skills, the focus is on understanding the spoken and written word, and on oral and written expression.
The Junior Certificate programme covers a very broad range of topics, starting off with greetings and introductions, talking about family and friends, likes and dislikes etc. Students also learn how to write and talk about their house and where they live, past times and sports, their holidays and weekends; moving on to telling the time, talking about the weather, asking for and giving directions etc.
The Junior Certificate exam at the end of Third Year can be taken at Higher or Ordinary level, and tests students’ listening and reading comprehension skills and their ability to write letters, postcards and short notes.

Transition Year
Students who elect to do Transition Year are given the opportunity to develop their oral presentation skills which will be crucial at Leaving Certificate level. The T.Y. programme builds on the foundation of the language learned for Junior Certificate French, and encourages students to speak French with confidence and greater accuracy.
The programme also affords students the opportunity to delve deeper into French culture and covers areas like French cinema and music, and aspects of everyday life as experienced by young people in France. Project work can include French artists and writers or figures from French history and contemporary life.

Leaving Certificate French:
Leaving Certificate is a two year programme which builds on the students’ language skills acquires in Junior Certificate and Transition Year. There is a strong emphasis on oral work, as the oral exam in 6th Year accounts for 25% of the overall grade. Students also learn to hone their writing skills in French, moving into short opinion pieces and diary entries as well as letters and emails etc. The programme is very broad and varied in its scope, and aims to improve fluency in French as well as engendering a love of and appreciation for the language and culture.
The teachers of French in St. Wolstan’s (les profs!) look forward to sharing this exciting journey with students who choose French as their language option in First Year.

Bon courage and bon voyage!

A Note on I.T.
At St. Wolstan’s, we are very fortunate to have access to state of the art I.T facilities, which are invaluable as a resource for language learning and practice. If interested in French language learning why not check out www.french.ie or www.languages.org.uk .

French Film Club:
A recent development in St. Wolstan’s has seen Fifth and Sixth Year French students establishing and running a French film club ‘Cinéclub’ for those interested in French cinema. Bring your own popcorn!