Introduction:

French is a language spoken by 181 millions people around the world, with 82.5 millions of learners of the target language. In Asia there are 402,000 French speaking native speakers while there are 441,000 learners [1].

In DBS, according to DBS former history teacher Mr. Smyly¡¦s manuscript[2], Mrs Lundlach was the first ever-French teacher in DBS during 1920. Another document published by Rev. W.T. Featherstone [3]shows that French was taught in 1929. A note in the same publication[4]tells us ¡§French has been added to the curriculum in 1929 for Form 5, 4, and 3, and it will be eventually added for Form 2 and 1.  Smyly¡¦s manuscript will confirm the existence of French language in the curriculum for Form 1 and 2 in 1930[5].

Nowadays French is taught in all form except in Form 6 due to the abandon of the French option by the HKEA before the Hong Kong handover. But after form 5, where the students seat for the HKCEE in French (IGCSE French examination borrowed from Cambridge University (UK) by the HKEA), they can complete their studies by attending the courses offered by the Alliance Française of Hong Kong[6].

The academic results in DBS have been particularly excellent these last 10 years for French with an amount of As, reaching 80% in the HKCEE (including several A*). With an exceptional result of 100% of As in the year 2004, the number of As is still high in 2005, and most important no DBS students failed since the last 10 years in the public examinations; the poorest mark is C.

In junior forms, the objective is to introduce the basis of a new foreign language ¡V French ¡V in order to let the students know how to present themselves and handle a simple conversation in daily situation. With DSS new funds, we will try to emphasize on additional short stories readings in order to raise the interest in understanding cultural differences.

In senior forms, students must reach the standard of being able to express personal opinion as well as handling conversation in more complex situations where psychology and abstraction occur.

A new textbook ¡¥Encore Tricolore 1¡¦  has been introduced two years ago 2003 in Form 1 while the use of, ¡¥Fréquence Jeunes 2¡¦ (From the end of Form 2 to Form 4) has remained unchanged. Introduction of new books such as¡¥La Philosophie 100% Ados, ¡¥La Cuture expliquée à ma fille¡¦ (Form 4 and 5), ¡¥J¡¦apprends à travailler¡¦ (Form 3), and a book  from the collection for youngsters  ¡¥Les goûters philosophiques¡¦ have been carefully selected to raise the interest about inter-cultural aspects of the French langauge. The use of French DVDs is contributing in the building of the knowledge of French language and culture. IT, also gave us the opportunity to select more reading and listening materials from the Internet as well as to explore challenging teaching methods.

Workload:

Students have different assignments:

-          A composition (80-100 words in Form 1, 100-110 words in Form 2, 110-120 words in Form 3, 120-130 words in Form 4, 130-140 words in Form 5) every two weeks.

-          A French journal writing (Form 3 to Form 5), with a minimum of 3 entries, every two weeks (same format as composition)

-          A French project (for CA )

In Form 1, a project based on daily life in France or French culture in Hong Kong written in English.

In Form 2 and above, a French reading book report or of special interest, related to the Hong Kong French events (exhibitions, Film festivals, singers, etc.)

-          A written research about a topic to be developed for the oral examination of HKCEE starts in the second term of Form 4 in order to be adjusted and properly updated in Form 5.

-          An Interview by each students of Form 5 conducted in French of a French native speakers living in Hong Kong or through the Internet or through the project of exchange students from the French International School

Extracurricular activities:

Regular activities are proposed by the French Club founded in 1984 essentially during lunch time, such as:

-          French film projection

-          Indoor games: French scrabble, French Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, CD-ROM French games

-          Outdoor games: Pétanque, a traditional French game from Provence(South France)

A VCD (and DVDs) film library is now available since September 2002. All French boys are encouraged to borrow French VCDs and French books.

Our French Club members use to take part in the activities organised by the Joint School French Club and the Hong Kong French Teachers Association  (French Speech Festival, French Drama Festival, Fête de la Francophonie, Fête de la Musique Festival)or in conjunction with other DBS clubs such as the Film & Video Society, and with the co-operation of the DBS Primary Division.

Recently, in 2002 and 2004, we tried to organize an annual trip to France. The objective is to give the opportunity to the young DBS French learners to get involved in meaningful cultural exchange activities in the current course of globalization.

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