French at CBS, Midleton If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. (Nelson Mandela) French department Teachers Mr Sean Hurley Ms Gwynne Dennehy Course Materials Textbooks Junior Cert: Transition Year: Leaving Cert: Bienvenue en France 1 L Air du Temps Panache Bon Travail 1 Ecoutez Bien 2 Triomphe au Bac Supérieur / J écoute, je lis, j écris Triomphe au Bac Ordinaire Bon Travail 2 Ecoutez Bien 2 Je comprends bien Exam Papers Exam Papers
Aims and Objectives Subject aims To prepare students for the exams, either at Leaving Certificate or Junior Certificate Levels To introduce students to France, the French language and French civilisation and also culture Subject objectives Reading: to help students successfully read and comprehend a range of texts in French Writing: to have students produce a range of written pieces in French ranging from postcards and letters to opinion pieces Listening: to help students develop an ear for the intonation of the language and to understand different situations provided in an aural context Speaking: At Leaving Cert level, to enable students to speak fluently on a variety of topics from the concrete, relating to themselves and their own lives, to the more abstract topics such as the importance of sport Teaching Methodologies Pairwork Teacher instruction Cooperative learning Groupwork Peer instruction Project work French and the State Exams French at Junior Cert Level French is taught to both higher and ordinary levels at Junior Cert. The focus is on three skills, reading, writing and listening. The Junior cert exam consists of a listening section, a reading section and a written section. The exam lasts two and a half hours and usually talks place within the first week of the exams
French at Leaving Cert level French is taught to Higher and Ordinary level at Leaving Cert. The emphasis continues on the three skills of reading, writing and listening but now with the addition of speaking. As part of the French Leaving cert exam, students must sit on Oral exam. This oral exam lasts approximately 15mins and is worth 25% at Higher level and 20% at Ordinary level usually the week before Easter holidays. The French exam, in June, usually takes place within the first week of the exams. It is two and half hours long to complete the reading and written sections followed by a short break before continuing to the listening part of the exam. Reasons for studying a language Why should you study a language? Studying a language, even as far as Leaving Certificate level, has several benefits. Apart from being a requirement for certain courses at university level, learning a modern foreign language enriches your life. Travel broadens the mind and languages help understand it. Being able to talk to someone in their own language means that you can get a deeper understanding of where you are and what it means to be there. It can make you more employable. Employers look for transferable skills (analytical, organisational and of course, communication). With a language behind you, employers can see a flexibility in learning and thinking, an appreciation of diversity, awareness of global perspectives, and the ability to interact effectively with people of different backgrounds. This makes you very employable Studying a language also has a surprising health benefit. Learning a language can help slow down the spread of Alzheimer s disease. Being bilingual allows a person to deal with the progression of the disease better. Bilingual people, the theory goes, constantly have to exercise this brain system (executive control system the main part of the mind) to prevent their two languages from interfering with one another. Their brains must sort through multiple options for each word, switch back and forth between the two languages, and keep everything straight.
Third Level Courses and a Modern Language After the Leaving Third level and French (a third language) To find out about the courses that require French (a third language) see www.qualifax.ie Scroll down the page to find Minimum Subject Requirements and follow this link through the site to find out what courses require French in the Leaving Cert or even those which don't! Languages and Careers Possible careers using a language Who says you have to teach just because you re interested in French??? Business: Business Executives Stenography Banking and Finance Personnel Manager Import/Export Fashion Industry Receptionist Sales Automobile Industry Secretary International Law Public Relations Communications: International Operator Translator Publishing Foreign Correspondent Interpreter Advertising Journalist Editor Telecommunications Photographer Customer Service Film and Entertainment Education: Teacher University/College Professor Overseas Teacher for Foreign Corporations & Study Abroad Coordinator Textbook Author/Editor Tutor Teacher for Commercial Language Schools Missionary Work
Diplomats Government Services: Peace Corps Immigration and Customs Aid Agencies Diplomatic Corps Social Work Armed Forces Court Interpreter Federal Agencies United Nations Intelligence Humanities & Arts: Overseas Dependents' Schools Historian Art Historian Theatre Travel Writer Critic / Reviewer Philosophy Author Actor / Actress Theology Vocalist / Singer Linguist Area Studies Sciences: Technical Translator Engineering Anthropologist Researcher Medicine Archaeologist Lab Technician Museum Studies Archivist Field Researcher Technology: Library & Information Science Software Designer or Tester Applications Trainer Technical Writer Technical Support Specialist Web Community Manager Web Localization Specialist Web Developer Software Consultant Software Localization Specialist Travel Services: Hotel and Restaurant Staff / Management Publisher of Tourist Literature Visitor and Convention Bureaus Tour Guides Foreign Travel Advisors Airline Industry Car Rental Agency Travel Agents National Parks