Equality in sport (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
Equality in sport
Key vocabulary
| French | English | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| carrière | career | (f) |
| égal(e) | equal | |
| égalité | equality | (f) |
| femme | woman | (f) |
| handicapé(e) | disabled | |
| homme | man | (m) |
| identité | identity | (f) |
| inquiétude | worry, anxiety | (f) |
| juste | fair, just, only | |
| citoyen | citizen | (m) |
| conflit | conflict | (m) |
| divers(e) | diverse | |
| lutter | to fight | |
| raciste | racist | |
| sensible | sensitive | |
| sexe | sex | (m) |
| unir | to unite |
This vocabulary forms the foundation for discussing equality and fairness in sporting contexts. Understanding these terms is essential for expressing complex ideas about social issues in French.
Notice how many words have both masculine and feminine forms, particularly adjectives like égal(e), handicapé(e), and divers(e). This pattern is crucial for accurate gender agreement in French.
Grammar focus: Irregular adjectives
When forming feminine adjectives in French, the standard rule is to add an -e to the masculine form. However, there's an important exception to remember.
Key Rule: If an adjective already ends in -e, you don't add another -e to make it feminine.
This is a common mistake that many students make - always check the ending first!
Worked Example: Adjectives ending in -e
- juste (masculine) → juste (feminine) - meaning "fair" or "just"
- sensible (masculine) → sensible (feminine) - meaning "sensitive"
In context:
- La vie n'est pas juste. (Life is not fair.)
- Une femme handicapée (a disabled woman)
However, if an adjective ends in -é, you do add an extra -e in the feminine form, as this is a different ending entirely from the silent -e.
Expressing opinions about role models
These flexible phrases help you discuss sporting heroes and equality issues with confidence:
Present tense expressions:
- Je veux être comme... (I want to be like...)
- Je voudrais être comme... (I would like to be like...)
Worked Example: Expressing admiration
Je veux être comme Hannah Cockroft qui est une sportive extraordinaire. (I want to be like Hannah Cockroft who is an extraordinary sportswoman.)
Notice how this structure allows you to add descriptive details about your role model.
Making positive change:
- Je veux rendre le monde plus juste/sûr/propre. (I want to make the world fairer/safer/cleaner.)
These expressions are particularly useful when discussing ambitions, environmental issues, and social progress in sport. They show sophisticated thinking and help you move beyond basic descriptions.
Pronunciation tips
Mastering the pronunciation of these key terms will boost your confidence in speaking:
- égalité: [eh-gah-lee-TAY] - stress the final syllable
- inquiétude: [an-kee-eh-TOOD] - the 'qu' makes a 'k' sound
- citoyen: [see-toh-YAN] - the 'oy' sounds like 'wah'
- handicapé(e): [an-dee-kah-PAY] - silent 'h' at the beginning
Practice these pronunciations regularly, as they're frequently used in discussions about equality and social issues. The stress patterns are particularly important for natural-sounding French.
Translation exercises
Translation Practice: French to English
- Je respecte beaucoup Serena Williams car elle est sensible, indépendante et forte.
- Pour elle, l'argent n'est pas important dans la vie.
Translation Practice: English to French
- I want to make the world fairer.
- She is a disabled woman who fights for equality.
Answers:
Solutions: French to English
- I really respect Serena Williams because she is sensitive, independent and strong.
- For her, money is not important in life.
Solutions: English to French
- Je veux rendre le monde plus juste.
- C'est une femme handicapée qui lutte pour l'égalité.
Speaking exam preparation
When answering questions about sporting role models and equality, develop your responses naturally by following these strategies:
Building Strong Responses:
- Adding two or three extra pieces of information beyond the basic answer
- Avoiding memorised scripts that sound unnatural
- Making your response relevant to the specific question asked
- Using the flexible phrases above to express personal opinions
- Drawing on the vocabulary to discuss different aspects of equality
For example, if asked about a sporting hero, you might mention their achievements, their character qualities, and why they inspire you to make positive changes in society.
Exam Strategy Tip:
Examiners are looking for authentic, developed responses that show you can think and communicate in French, not just recite memorised answers.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Adjectives ending in -e stay the same in both masculine and feminine forms
- Use "Je veux/voudrais être comme..." to express admiration for sporting figures
- Learn vocabulary with gender markers (m) and (f) to speak accurately
- Develop speaking responses with extra detail rather than memorising scripts
- Focus on equality themes: fairness, diversity, overcoming challenges, and social progress