While studying French, and from the Fourth (Year 7), every student gains an understanding of this language in a variety of contexts and the ability to communicate effectively in French. This also results in awareness and understanding of countries and communities where French is spoken.
For GCSE, the girls study three main themes which are:
- Identity and culture
- Local, national, international and global areas of interest
- Current and future study and employment.
Later at A Level, students who have chosen this subject study social and technological change alongside highlights of French-speaking artistic culture, francophone music and cinema.
They explore the influence of the past on present-day French-speaking communities and over the two-year course they also study a couple of books (currently Un secret by Phillippe Grimbert and No et moi by Delphine de Vigan), and a film (Au revoir les enfants by Louis Malle).
Head of Department
Amalia Fuentes-Mansfield
Amalia joined Benenden in September 2002 after gaining her QTS while teaching at Hillview School for Girls in Tonbridge. She loves travelling, finding out about different cultures and is passionate about languages in general. Over the years, she has taught French, Spanish and also Italian at Benenden.
