A Level French

Why study French?

Do you hope to one day work abroad or speak a language fluently? Are you interested in an academically challenging course with a strong practical application? If so, then studying a French to A-level could be for you. The French course will develop language skills, cultural and international understanding, and lifelong communication, analytical and research skills which can be applied at work or for leisure purposes.

What will I study?

There are 4 core topic areas at A-level.

Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends

Artistic culture in the French-speaking world

Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues

Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world

In addition, you will study two literary texts, Kiffe Kiffe Demain (Faïza Guène) and Un sac de billes (Joseph Joffo).

Within Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends you will look at:

• La famille en voie de changement

• La cyber-société

• Le rôle du bénévolat

Within Artistic culture in the French-speaking world you will study:

• Une culture fière de son patrimoine

• La musique francophone contemporaine

• Cinéma : le septième art

Within Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues you will look at:

• Les aspects positifs d’une société diverse

• Quelle vie pour les marginalisés?

• Comment on traite les criminels

And within Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world life you will study:

• Les ados, le droit de vote et l’engagement politique

• Manifestations, grèves – à qui le pouvoir ?

• La politique et l’immigration

Assessment

There are 3 exams:

•Paper 1: listening, reading & translation into both English & French (2 hr 30 mins, 100 marks) 50% Students will have individual control of the listening recording. Questions in French to be answered with non- verbal responses or in French for both reading (50 marks) & listening (30 marks).

•Paper 2: writing - literature essays (2 hrs, 80 marks) 20% Two essays to be written from choice of 2 possible titles on Kiffe Kiffe Demain and Un sac de billes (Joseph Joffo) of approximately 300 words. These require a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered in the work and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation, as appropriate to the works studied.

•Paper 3: speaking (16-18 minutes + 5 minutes preparation time, 60 marks) 30% Discussion of a sub-theme with the discussion based on a stimulus card (5 – 6 minutes, 25 marks), followed by a presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9 – 10 minutes) of an individual research project (35 marks).

Minimum Entry Requirements:

5 x 5s

4 in English and Maths

Subject Specific Entry Requirements:

6 in GCSE French

* Please note that Level 2 vocational courses are the equivalent of 1 GCSE and only 1 will be counted towards the A-Level pathway entry requirements

What can French lead to?

Many students follow this course with a languages degree, which usually involves learning two languages alongside literature and/or linguistics. Languages also complement any other subject, and are often combined with popular degree courses such as Law, Business, Marketing, History and Engineering. Language graduates are in high demand by employers in the UK and abroad. Even if the use of French is not the main focus of your career, it is an incredible extra skill which will set you apart from others. A study of A level French will lead to a lifelong appreciation of the culture of the French-speaking world.