French is spoken worldwide by 198 million people and is used as the official language of 33 countries including Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Monaco, and many parts of Africa, Vietnam and Quebec. 

French is the most frequently taught foreign language world-wide after English, and plays a major role within the European Union. It is, with English, the official working language of the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, the Council of Europe, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Auditors. As the European concept grows stronger, contact and communication with Europeans is becoming more and more commonplace in many professions. Language is, of course, the first, and therefore the most important means of communication. Gone are the days when it was acceptable to speak English slowly and loudly! A fluent French speaker will give a far better impression and will be a valuable asset in the workplace.

French at Rougemont is taught by subject specialists from Years 5 – 13 and our pupils are encouraged to study at least one Modern Foreign Language to GCSE level. The study of a MFL offers the language learner a wide variety of skills including Reading and Listening for comprehension and communicating in the foreign language through the spoken or written word.

The extra curricular activities arranged for KS3, 4 and 5 pupils by the French Department form an essential part of the language-learning experience at Rougemont. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in the Year 8 trip to France in the summer term, the Year 9 trip to Belgium and France in the Autumn Term and pupils are also offered the opportunity to take part in the French Exchange in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13.