Aims of Department

The aim of the French Department in St. Mary's is to help every pupil develop a natural interest in the language and culture and equip pupils with a skill which will benefit them throughout their lives in respect of both employment and leisure.
We want our pupils to have fun and enjoy learning French through a wide range of teaching strategies and activities while reinforcing the importance and relevance of languages.

The study of French

• French is based on the New Northern Ireland Curriculum and the 4 attainment targets of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
• It provides an ideal vehicle for pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of the cross-curricular skills of communication, ICT and their thinking skills and personal capabilities.
• It promotes language awareness, linguistic competence and independent learning.
• It engenders in a young person a disposition towards empathy, respect, tolerance, curiosity and openness to new ideas and emphasises the value of cultural diversity.