French                              

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Head of French: Mr J D Davies  

French is the longest established language in the school, having continuously been part of the curriculum since the nineteen twenties. In a department fortunate to have a committed, enthusiastic and very well-qualified staff, it continues to be a popular choice and at present all pupils begin their study in year eight with a substantial proportion opting at the end of year nine to continue the subject up to GCSE.

Students start French as their second language in Year 8 and they can continue with it to GCSE and in the Sixth Form, taking either French at A Level or at International Baccalaureate.  As an increasing number of students see the advantage of being able to offer a modern foreign language as part of their Sixth Form studies, so the subject has recently seen a resurgence of popularity in the sixth form.

Results at both GCSE and A level continue to be very satisfactory.

Courses offered

French is offered at GCSE, A Level and International Baccalaureate: Standard and Higher Levels.

French Trips

At our school France has for many years been by far the most frequent destination for overseas school visits and since 1982 nearly every boy at TBGS has been on at least one of the French trips, either to Normandy for Year 7 students, or on one of the Exchanges. Our present Exchange, organised jointly with Torquay Girls' Grammar School, is with the Lycée Jules Verne in Nantes: http://perso.orange.fr/lyceejverne/

Paris Visit 8 - 12 March 2010

Work Experience Abroad

Torquay Boys' Grammar School has established a link with Lycée Saint Gabriel, a French school in Pont l'Abbé, near Quimper, Brittany.  This is for those students who are taking French at A Level or IB and it offers an excellent opportunity for the students to put into practice their language skills in the work place, something which will be very useful for future employment and for UCAS.

French Work Experience Report.

French Work Experience Exchange 2010