French
A Level |AQA
Why study French?
Did you know that French is the lingua franca of culture, including art, cuisine, dance, and fashion. France has won
more Nobel Prizes for literature than any other country in the world and is one of the top producers of international films. Have you ever gotten stuck trying to ask for directions or ordering food abroad? Perhaps you have watched a foreign film and wished you didn’t need to read the subtitles? Whether you dream of living overseas, travelling the world with work and helping people communicate: gaining language skills can help you.
Extra-curricular aspects of the course
We would anticipate that students would be visiting a French speaking country and that they would be involved with watching French films, doing personal reading, using online websites, watching French television and listening to French music or new programmes to further enhance their knowledge of the French Language.
Entry Requirements
French GCSE Grade 6 or above is required for students considering studying A Level French.
Higher Education and Careers
The ever increasing importance of Modern Languages cannot be stressed enough and this is reflected in many
courses offered at universities; it is possible to take a Modern Language with almost any other subject. Degree
courses in French and Business Studies, Law and Management in particular are becoming increasingly popular and provide a valuable qualification. Due to globalization, there is an ongoing greater need for modern linguists in industry and commerce, both in this country and abroad, in addition to job opportunities in the more traditional areas of teaching (including primary schools), the civil service and secretarial work.
Equipment required for the course
A4 folders, pens, paper and highlighters. Mot à Mot (available on Amazon).
Assessment
The Year 1 course covers themes concerning social issues and trends and artistic culture in the French speaking
world and grammar. Students will also analyse the film: Un Long Dimancher de Fiançailles.
The Year 2 course builds on the themes covered previously, and also studies current issues in French-speaking
society and aspects of political life in the French-speaking world. Students will also study the book: Un Sac de Billes by Jules Joffo. Translation will form part of the exam. Grammar is studied throughout the course, and the students will become more dexterous in manipulating language structures.
Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing |
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes |
What is assessed: All 4 themes: Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends; Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues; Artistic culture in the French-speaking world; Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world. |
100 Marks 50% of A Level |
Paper 2: Writing |
Written exam: 2 hours |
What is assessed: One film and one text |
80 Marks 20% Of A-Level |
Paper 3: Speaking |
Oral exam: 21-23 minutes |
What is assessed: Individual research project. One sub-theme from the four. |
60 marks |
For more information on this course please contact
Miss C Horrocks
misshorrocks@bthcc.org.uk