French

• Course Overview
• Assessment & Examination
• Resources
• Prior Knowledge
• Beyond The Course
• Entry Requirements

Course Overview

A Level French is an exciting, dynamic course which allows students with a flair for languages to indulge their passion by taking their skills to the next level. Over the course of two years, you will study a variety of topics including Francophone music and cinema, cultural heritage in the French-speaking world, crime, and immigration, whilst honing your four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will read two literary texts, one a contemporary French novel, learning to discuss and analyse these in essays. The speaking exam, as well as featuring the topics covered over the two years, also includes a presentation by you on a Francophone topic of your choice. You will start your research at the end of Year 12, aiming to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of your subject.

Assessment & Examination

A Level French is a 2-year course, with three examinations at the end of the second year.

Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing (2 hours 30 minutes) 50% of A Level

• Listening and responding to questions in the Target Language
• Reading and responding to questions in the Target Language.
• Translations from and into the Target Language.

Paper 2 - Writing (2 hours) 20% of A Level

• Answer 2 essay questions on 2 texts that you will have studied.

Paper 3 - 30% of A Level

• Discussion of one of the themes studied based on a stimulus card (5-6 minutes)
• Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9-10 minutes) of individual research project.

Resources

You will be provided with a wide variety of target language materials and resources to enhance your learning outside of lessons, including textbooks and literary texts. We also encourage you to purchase a good French-English dictionary and grammar books.

Prior Knowledge

You should have a keen interest in languages and an ability to learn vocabulary and grammar rules in class and independently.

Beyond The Course

A Level Languages students can go on to study Languages at University - one or more, possibly alongside another subject. Universities often offer options to keep a language going as a minor subject alongside others, such a Business or Law. Travelling or working abroad is also a possibility.

The ability to speak another language is a skill greatly valued by employers in many industries, opening up opportunities locally and further afield.

Entry Requirements

GCSE Level 6 in French.

Entry to Sixth Form also requires:

• GCSE Level 5 in English Language or English Literature;
• GCSE Level 5 in Maths;
• Four other GCSEs at Level 5, in addition to English and Maths.