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French

This course builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills that you have gained at GCSE.

It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. The focus is on how the French society has been shaped, socially and culturally and how it continues to change. You will learn to express yourself at an advanced level and discuss social and topical issues. You will develop skills such as strong communication, essay writing and research.

You will also learn to analyse a film and a literary text in French. Finally, you will develop your translation skills, from French to English and English to French.

Entry Requirements

Grade 6 in GCSE French

What will I study?

The Changes in French Society

  • Changes in family structures
  • Education
  • The world of work

Political and Artistic Culture in the French-Speaking World

  • Festivals and traditions
  • Music
  • Media

Immigration and Multiculturalism in France

  • Integration and multiculturalism
  • The rise of the Extreme Right

Occupation and Resistance

  • Occupation
  • Resistance

Literary Texts and Films

  • You will study one book and one film
  • You will be able to write about them in essays

Individual Research Project

  • Develop research skills
  • Demonstrate your ability to initiate and conduct individual research by analysing and summarising your findings, in order to present and discuss them in the speaking assessment

Grammar and Translation

  • Study grammar and translation throughout the course to deeper your understanding

How will I be assessed?

Listening, Reading and Translation

You will be assessed through a listening, reading and translation task where you will translate into English.

Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are assessed.

This is worth 30% of your A Level and is 2 hours in length.

Writing and Translation

You will be assessed through a written test (two essays) and a translation into French.

Your knowledge of the literary text and the studied film, including grammar, are assessed.

This is worth 40% of your A Level and is 2 hours 40 minutes in length.

Speaking

You will be assessed through an oral exam.

Task 1 (discussion on a theme) and Task 2 (independent research presentation/discussion on independent research) are assessed,

This is worth 30% of your A Level and is 21-23 minutes, including five minutes preparation time.

What else can I get involved in?

For information on all our enrichment opportunities, please see our enrichment programme here.

Further Education and Careers in French

Courses you could study at university include:

  • Economics
  • French
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Teacher Training

Careers which require a French qualification include:

  • Broadcast Journalist
  • Diplomatic Service Officer
  • Education Consultant
  • English as a Foreign Language Teacher
  • International Aid Worker
  • Marketing Executive
  • Patent Examiner
  • Private Tutor
  • Tour Manager

Preparation Work

You need to complete these tasks over Summer to prepare you for your studies.