French at St. John's

Our principal aim is to make the study of French at St John’s an enjoyable and rewarding experience for every pupil. Boys begin French speaking and listening activities in the Nursery and begin more formal lessons that include some writing in Year 3. There are two specialist French teachers at St John’s.

St. John's Yr2 boys learning French through role play.
Learning through role play - these Yr2 boys in the Pre-Prep are acting out the parts of customers and staff in a French cafe.

All teaching rooms contain interactive whiteboards and other equipment which make communicating in another language natural and relevant. Day trips and residential trips to France, a French Day and an evening of French plays bring the language truly to life.

Teaching is based on the four key skill areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Variety in the lessons is considered important. Many lessons have a substantial oral content and we encourage pupils to be active and independent learners.

In Year 5 the pupils have the opportunity of visiting the Europa Centre in Kent for an authentic French experience. In Year 7 the pupils take part in a week of activities in Normandy which is designed to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. By Year 8 the pupils are competent conversationalists in French and are well prepared for their challenges at their senior schools.

The love of language learning, which we hope to engender in all our pupils, will be invaluable to them in their future as citizens of the world. Communicating in another language, whether on holiday or at work, is fun and a most useful as well as highly satisfying experience.

Mr S. Hallett
Head of French

St. John's boys

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