However, French remains one of the major departments at Emanuel and although it is no longer a compulsory subject, most pupils will study it as either a first or a second choice modern foreign language from the first form to GCSE level. O ur course is based on the Encore Tricolore series of textbooks but incorporates all sorts of other support materials - for example we use the BBC programmes extensively as well. Like other modern foreign languages, French is taught through the medium of the language although English is used for clarifications and explanations. Our GCSE candidates sit the examinations of the OCR examining group. W e usually have between 20 and 30 candidates in Sixth Form French, often including entrants from outside schools.
T here are regular visits to France at all levels.
In recent years we have run Sixth Form study trips to Paris and junior trips to Euro Disney and Normandy. We also run an exchange which in the recent past has been with schools in Angoul me and Paris. Our current exchange is with a school in Perpignan in the South of France. General information T he French Department is lodged in a suite of modern classrooms, which also double as first year form rooms. There are four main teaching rooms and a sixth form tutorial room in the new block and there are two further classrooms in the main school building.