VCE French key terms

A household in which one or more children are raised by a same-sex couple, whether through adoption, assisted reproduction or a prior relationship. The topic appears in French discussion of changing family structures.

The 2013 French law opening civil marriage and adoption to same-sex couples. Debates around it illustrate how French society negotiates secular law, equality and tradition, a common theme in Unit 1 and 2 discussion work.

A blended family formed when adults remarry or repartner and bring children from earlier unions together. Useful vocabulary for describing modern household variety and for comparing family models in speaking and writing tasks.

A household in which one parent alone lives with and raises the children. The term often appears in statistics and articles about housing, welfare and work-life balance in contemporary France.

A period of leave from work granted to a parent to care for a young child, with job protection and some allowance. Discussions of it raise questions about gender roles and workplace equality.

The principle that women and men should enjoy equal rights, opportunities and treatment in law, work and public life. It underpins many French debates on pay gaps, representation and family responsibilities.

France's constitutional principle of state neutrality towards religion, keeping public institutions secular while protecting freedom of belief. It shapes rules on religious symbols in schools and appears frequently in identity and citizenship discussions.

Unpaid voluntary work done for a community group, charity or association. It is a common topic for discussing civic engagement, solidarity and how young people contribute to society outside school.

Active participation in public and community life, such as voting, volunteering, joining a club or campaigning on local issues. The concept links personal responsibility with belonging to a democratic community.

A non-profit organisation formed by people pursuing a shared aim, governed by the French law of 1901. Associations organise sport, culture, charity and leisure, and are often mentioned in texts about community life.

Sport practised widely by ordinary people for health, fun and social contact, as opposed to elite competition. Texts contrast it with high-performance sport when debating funding, facilities and access.

The network of clubs, societies and volunteer groups that structures local social life in France. Understanding it helps candidates discuss leisure, integration and civic participation in the target language.

A period of supervised work experience in a company, often required by a school or university programme. Texts about it discuss career discovery, professional skills and the transition from study to employment.

The sphere of employment, covering jobs, workplaces, contracts, colleagues and career paths. It is a recurring theme for reading and discussion about values, ambition and work-life balance.

A training route combining part-time study at a centre with paid work in a company, leading to a qualification. It is often presented as a practical alternative to purely academic study.

Working away from the employer's premises, usually from home and using digital tools. Articles discuss its effects on productivity, isolation and the boundary between private and professional life.

An activity pursued for enjoyment in free time, such as reading, music, cooking or hiking. The word is basic but essential for describing personal interests and comparing leisure habits.

Free-time activities and the time available for them. Texts examine how leisure changes with age, income and technology, and how it reflects cultural values and social trends.

The personal sphere of family, friendship and individual choices that should be protected from public intrusion. Debates about social media, data and work contact outside hours often invoke it.

Online platforms where users create profiles, share content and interact. They are central to discussions of identity, peer pressure, information and privacy among young French speakers.

Repeated harassment carried out through digital channels such as messages, social media or forums. French texts and school campaigns address its effects on young people and the legal responses to it.

Voluntary work undertaken by students alongside their studies, often in tutoring, charity or campus societies. It is discussed as a way to build skills, confidence and social awareness.

The inherited cultural and natural heritage of a country or region, including monuments, traditions, language and landscapes. The concept supports discussion of identity, tourism and preservation.

Travel planned to limit environmental and social harm, for example by reducing flights, supporting local business and protecting sites. It appears in texts weighing economic benefit against conservation.

A form of tourism focused on experiencing nature while minimising damage and benefiting local communities. The term often appears alongside debates about national parks and overcrowded destinations.

Policies and everyday actions aimed at safeguarding air, water, soil, climate and biodiversity. It is a standard theme for reading comprehension, letter writing and oral discussion about responsibility.

The long-term rise in average global temperatures caused mainly by greenhouse gas emissions from human activity. French texts present its effects and the debates about how quickly to respond.

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, balancing economic, social and environmental goals. The idea frames many French policy debates.

The community of French-speaking people and countries worldwide, and the institutions promoting their cooperation. It is used to discuss cultural diversity, language policy and identity beyond France.

Cultural production in French from France and from other French-speaking regions, such as literature, cinema, music and food. Studying it encourages comparison and reflection on diverse identities.

The full geographic and social space in which French is used in daily life, including parts of Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and Canada. The phrase helps candidates discuss variety within the language.

A text, recording or visual taken from real French-language media rather than written for learners, such as an article, interview or advertisement. Candidates analyse its purpose, audience and register.

The level of formality in language use, ranging from familiar speech through standard usage to formal or literary style. Recognising it helps candidates choose appropriate tone in written responses.

A French verb mood expressing wishes, doubt, necessity or emotion, usually introduced by que after expressions such as il faut que. Accurate formation and use are expected in higher-level writing.

Linking words and phrases such as cependant, par conséquent and d'une part that show contrast, cause and sequence. Using them well gives written and spoken French coherence and structure.

The organised outline of ideas in a written or spoken response, often dividing into introduction, developed sections and conclusion. A clear plan is essential for the detailed study tasks in Units 3 and 4.

A shortened account of a text that keeps its main ideas and removes detail, written in the candidate's own words. It tests comprehension and the ability to reformulate accurately in French.

The central idea or message that a text or recording conveys, distinct from supporting details. Identifying it is a first step in comprehension tasks and in planning a response.

Assessment of speaking through tasks such as conversation, presentation or discussion of a text. Marks depend on fluency, pronunciation, range of vocabulary and ability to interact and justify opinions.