Organisation, Curriculum, and Standard of Work (continued)

FRENCH (continued)

insisted upon and the boys are encouraged to use French in simple narrations and descriptions.

The course leading to the ordinary-level examination is completed in four years by boys in the A stream, in five by those in other streams. At all stages four periods a week are allowed, except in the case of certain C and D streams who have five periods a week. There is no setting. Sound and broad foundations are none the less laid in the first two years, but thereafter the limited time available inevitably dictates a restriction of aim and achievement. The stress is placed upon accurate performance in the written language and, though comprehension tests and dictation allow for regular use of French, English is the common medium in the interests of speed. The able boys have no great difficulty in learning and applying the rules of grammar, though their control of them is far from automatic. With the less able, the method meets with little success and a more flexible and practical approach would be beneficial. A small selection of class readers is available, but the present time-allocation does not permit their extensive use. It is hoped, however, that stocks of readers will be built up and reading re-established in its rightful place.

A good general course, going well beyond the precise demands of the advanced-level examination, is planned for the sixth form, but the pattern of their studies is somewhat adversely affected by the limitations of the ordinary-level course. In the early stages, the boys have difficulty in grasping the meaning of a text without close translation, so that valuable time is lost and accuracy in a linguistic exercise usurps the place of enjoyment of literature. Linguistically, good progress is made in the sixth form, thus allowing for considerable modification in the methods used for the study of literature. It is desirable that some means should be found of making available during lessons the essential dictionaries and reference books.

The French section of the library is at present small. Its most pressing need is for the works of modern authors and current newspapers and periodicals.

When pressure on accomodation decreases, it is hoped that French will be able to have a subject-room. Already care is taken to put the French language into its context. Boys are encouraged to take French magazines and to have French pen-friends, and a cercle français is to be formed. An exchange scheme with a French 'link' has been organised on a small scale for this summer and is expected to be extended and to become a regular feature. The school has an assistant, unfortunately 111 at the time of the inspection, who takes groups for conversation and civilisation from the second form to the sixth.

Taken as a whole, the subject promises well, but the fulfilment of this promise almost certainly demands the flexibility and wider experience which would be provided by an increased allocation of time.

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