This is a stimulating and challenging course which aims to develop the student’s love of the French language by using it to discuss aspects of modern day society and by analysing its grammar in greater depth than is possible at GCSE level. The skills assessed are the familiar ones of listening, speaking, reading and writing but lessons emphasise discussion and the development of students’ views and opinions. In addition to classroom lessons, students also have access to the French Assistant.
Students study various aspects of society, culture and history in French-speaking countries. These are grouped into four main themes.
- Changes in French society
- Political and artistic culture in French-speaking countries
- Immigration and multicultural French society
- The Occupation and Resistance
In addition students will study a French film in year 12 and a literary text in year 13.
The examination board is Edexcel.
At the end of year 13 students will be assessed on all aspects of the course by means of the following exams.
Unit 1: Listening, Reading and Translation
(2 hour exam)
Students will be assessed in these skills across all of the four main themes studied over the two year course. They will also be tested on their ability to translate from French into English.
Unit 2: Writing and Translation
(2 hour 40 minute exam)
Students will be assessed on their ability to criticise and analyse the film and book they have studied, and also to translate into French.
Unit 3: Speaking
(20 minute exam)
Students’ speaking abilities are assessed through discussion of their individual research project and one of the themes from unit 1.
Foreign language skills are much sought after in the work place and an A Level in French is good preparation for any student entering employment in the 21st Century. At university French can be studied either in combination with another language or with almost any other subject and leads to careers in sales, marketing, business, journalism, engineering, the civil service – in fact, in just about anything!
GCSE GRADE PROFILE
Students who study French must have achieved 5 GCSE grades from 9 to 5. In order to cope with the level of written accuracy required for A level study, students should have at least a grade 6 in French.