Intent

The Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at The Cottesloe School offers students of all abilities the opportunity to experience the culture and character of two globally significant languages. Encouraged to ask questions about daily life in Francophone countries, students’ personal experiences become a facilitator in bridging the foreign and the familiar.

Students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills right from the beginning of their programme of study as they find links between English and French. As the complexity of the language taught progresses, so does students’ resilience, enabling them to engage with the rigours of the GCSE curriculum. Hard-hitting issues such as youth addiction and climate change force GCSE linguists to consider their rights and responsibilities as global citizens in a truly international context.

The benefits of obtaining a GCSE language for further study and employment are also emphasised to students, as are the merits of continuing at A-level. Students will finish their MFL programme of study knowing they have developed a skill set to help them persevere when challenged, speak their minds with confidence, and respect and appreciate the diversity of the world around them.  

Ethos

The languages department believes that there is no failure, only a first step on the road to becoming a confident and fluent linguist! If at first you don’t succeed, try again! We all make mistakes, and if you aren’t making mistakes whilst learning a language, you’re not doing it right! By learning – and making mistakes! – together we can all become more tolerant, more collaborative, more resilient and, most importantly, better communicators. That’s how you learn a language, and we hope you’ll learn with us!

Careers with French

A language is viewed by employers and universities as a facilitating subject which opens up many exciting opportunities in many different sectors. Here are some examples of jobs where your study of French will help you to succeed!

• International Business Manager: Manage global operations, liaise with French-speaking clients and partners, and navigate French-speaking markets.
• Consultant (Management/Strategy): Work for global consulting firms, where French language skills can help in managing French clients and projects.
• Export/Import Manager: Handle international trade - France is the UK's 5th largest trading partner.
• Sports Agent: Represent athletes in French-speaking countries, negotiating contracts and endorsements.
• International Sports Coordinator: Organise global events, especially in regions where French is spoken, such as in France, Canada, and parts of Africa.
• Research Scientist: Collaborate with French-speaking institutions and contribute to groundbreaking research in fields like physics, medicine, and engineering.
• Engineer: Work for multinational companies with offices in French-speaking countries (e.g., Airbus, Renault).
• Pharmacist: Work with French pharmaceutical companies or in French-speaking countries, especially in regulatory or product development roles.
• Investment Banker: Handle cross-border transactions with clients in French-speaking markets, especially in international banks like BNP Paribas or Société Générale.
• Financial Analyst: Analyse financial markets, including French-speaking countries or international companies that operate in those regions.
• Risk Management Specialist: Assess and mitigate financial risks for companies with interests in French-speaking markets.
• Diplomat: Represent your country in French-speaking regions, such as France, Canada, and parts of Africa.
• Foreign Correspondent: Work for global news organisations reporting from French-speaking countries, covering politics, economics, and culture.
• Fashion Designer: Contribute to the global fashion industry, where many of the top houses are based in France, such as Paris.
• Curator/Art Historian: Work in prestigious art galleries or museums focusing on French art, culture, and history.
• Data Analyst: Analyze business trends and consumer data from French-speaking markets for global companies.