Equality and sporting role models (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Equality and sporting role models
Key vocabulary - equality and sport
Understanding vocabulary related to equality and discrimination is essential for discussing social issues in French. These terms form the foundation for expressing opinions about fairness and justice in sports and society.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| l'égalité (f) | equality |
| la discrimination (f) | discrimination |
| le racisme (m) | racism |
| le sexisme (m) | sexism |
| la justice (f) | justice |
| juste | fair, just, only |
| lutter | to fight |
| agir | to act |
| la valeur (f) | value |
| l'unité (f) | unity |
Notice that l'égalité and la justice are feminine nouns, while le racisme and le sexisme are masculine. Pay attention to the gender of these important social concepts.
Practice Sentences:
- La discrimination n'est pas juste. = Discrimination is not fair.
- Je veux lutter contre le racisme. = I want to fight against racism.
- Il faut agir pour l'égalité. = We must act for equality.
Vocabulary - people and identity
These terms help you describe people's backgrounds, characteristics, and social roles when discussing sporting figures and role models.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| la carrière (f) | career |
| l'identité (f) | identity |
| le modèle (m) | role model |
| le/la citoyen(ne) | citizen |
| handicapé(e) | disabled |
| divers(e) | diverse |
| égal(e) | equal |
| l'inquiétude (f) | worry, anxiety |
| le sexe (m) | gender |
Practice Sentences:
- Elle est mon modèle. = She is my role model.
- Nous sommes tous égaux. = We are all equal.
- L'identité est très importante. = Identity is very important.
Grammar focus - adjective agreement with -e and -é
French adjective agreement can be tricky, especially with endings that look similar. Understanding the difference between -e and -é endings is crucial for accurate French.
Key Rule for Adjective Agreement:
Most adjectives add -e to make them feminine. However, there are special cases:
- If an adjective already ends in -e, don't add another -e
- If an adjective ends in -é, add an extra -e in the feminine
Worked Examples:
Case 1: Adjectives ending in -e
- juste → remains juste (both masculine and feminine)
- La discrimination n'est pas juste = Discrimination is not fair
Case 2: Adjectives ending in -é
- handicapé → handicapée (feminine form)
- une femme handicapée = a disabled woman
Practice tip: Remember that juste stays the same, but handicapé becomes handicapée for feminine nouns.
Expressing aspirations and role models
When discussing sporting heroes and personal inspiration, you need flexible expressions that can adapt to different contexts. These phrases allow you to express admiration and personal goals effectively.
Flexible Phrases for Role Models:
Wanting to be like someone:
- Je veux/voudrais être comme... = I want/would like to be like...
- Mon modèle est... = My role model is...
Making the world better:
- Je veux rendre le monde plus juste/sûr/propre = I want to make the world fairer/safer/cleaner
Example in Context:
Je veux être comme Hannah Cockroft qui est une sportive extraordinaire et qui lutte contre les discriminations.
= I want to be like Hannah Cockroft who is an extraordinary sportswoman and who fights against discrimination.
Translation practice
Testing your understanding through translation helps consolidate both vocabulary and grammar structures.
Translation Practice:
French to English:
- Elle a trouvé sa propre identité.
- Pour elle, l'argent n'est pas très important.
English to French: 3. I want to fight against discrimination. 4. She has a special talent for tennis.
Answers:
- She found her own identity.
- For her, money is not very important.
- Je veux lutter contre la discrimination.
- Elle a un don spécial pour le tennis.
Speaking exam tips
Success in speaking exams requires different strategies depending on the task type. Understanding when to keep answers brief versus when to elaborate is key to achieving high marks.
Key Strategies for Your Speaking Exam:
- In role-play and picture tasks: Keep answers short with a verb in each sentence
- In conversations: Develop responses by adding 2-3 extra pieces of information
- Use the worked example structure: State your role model, explain why they're special, mention their achievements
Worked Example Response:
Question: Qui est tonne modèle? Pourquoi?
Good Answer: Mon modèle est Serena Williams. Elle a dû combattre la discrimination et elle a un don spécial pour le tennis. Elle a trouvé sa propre identité et elle respecte la justice.
Why this works: It states the role model, gives multiple reasons (fighting discrimination, special talent), and shows personal values (identity, justice).
Key Points to Remember:
- Adjective agreement: If it ends in -e, leave it; if it ends in -é, add -e for feminine
- Key phrases: Use je veux être comme and je veux rendre le monde plus to express aspirations
- Speaking exam: Keep role-play answers short but develop conversation responses with extra detail
- Vocabulary themes: Learn words for equality, discrimination, and personal qualities together
- Role models: Be able to explain why someone inspires you and what they've achieved