French
Why study A level French?
The course develops a range of skills to enable students to communicate in both written and spoken language. It enhances employment prospects, facilitates foreign travel, provides an insight into another culture and society, and provides students with a sound basis for further study. It is taught in small groups with plenty of opportunity to interact.
What are the careers or further education opportunities for this course?
An Advanced Level qualification in a language will provide an ideal basis for working abroad, whether students go on to achieve a degree or not. An increasing number of universities offer a combination of subjects with a language module, for example, Language and Sport or Language and Business Studies, as well as the more traditional single or dual language degree. 65% of UK employers (CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey 2014) state that language skills are needed in their workplace. As a career, business, international banking, travel and tourism, management, teaching, translator, interpreter, export manager, conference organiser and bi-lingual secretarial work are just some of the possibilities. In a climate where language skills are in demand, but few people study them, a language qualification will set any candidate apart from the rest of the field.
Key Information Summary:
| Course Title | French |
| Examination Board | AQA |
| Linear Qualification? | Yes |
| Course Webpage | http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/as-and-a-level/french-7652 |
| Entry Requirements | Grade 5 in GCSE French and grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language. |
| Contact Teachers | Mrs W Stoner: wstoner@wilmslowhigh.cheshire.sch.uk Mr T. Munro: tmunro@wilmslowhigh.cheshire.sch.uk |
Course Details:
The AQA specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills you will have acquired whilst studying GCSE French. It includes a range of topics related to the French speaking world, including social issues and trends, political and artistic culture and grammar. It provides a balanced, well-rounded study of French, in which language and grammar are developed, revisited and reinforced throughout the course through the cultural elements. The subject content is relevant to the modern day French speaking world and interesting to learn. There are many opportunities to develop practical communication skills which will benefit you throughout your future career.
AQA French is a linear course with terminal examinations at the end of the A-Level year.
Subject Content:
Social issues and trends
- The changing state of the family
- The digital world
- The place of voluntary work
- Positive features of a diverse society
- Life for the marginalised
- How criminals are treated
Artistic culture in the French-speaking world
- A culture proud of its heritage
- Contemporary francophone music
- Cinema: the 7th art form
Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world
- Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment
- Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?
- Politics and immigration
Grammar
Nouns, determiners, adjectives, adverbs and adverbials, numerals, quantifiers, pronouns, verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, negation, questions, commands, word order
Works
Students will study one text and one film from a prescribed list. Next year’s film and text are likely to be:
La Haine Mathieu Kassovitz (1995)
Albert Camus L’étranger
Individual Research Project
Students study a question or topic which is of interest to them related to the French speaking world.
Assessment details:
| A Level – 2 Year Course |
Paper 1 (50% of A level) 2 hour 30 minutes paper, 100 marks Listening and responding to texts in French Reading and responding to texts in French (50 marks) Paper 2 (20% of A level) 2 hour paper, 80 marks Question on the set film Paper 3 (30% of A level) 21-23 minutes, 60 marks. Discussion of 2 sub-themes based on a stimulus card Presentation and discussion of individual research project |