A-Level French

Studying a language in the Sixth Form requires a solid grounding in vocabulary, grammar and structure at GCSE level, as well as the motivation and determination to work hard and, above all, the curiosity to find out about culture!

We will be following the AQA French specifications using a variety of books and resources to spark our students’ interest, and we encourage them to borrow materials (novels, plays, DVDs) or use websites to facilitate their independent learning.
 
Our Sixth-Form students work with our French assistants to develop their speaking skills in compulsory weekly sessions.  
 
YEAR 12
At least a Grade 7 in GCSE French is required by students wishing to study A-Level French. Work continues post GCSE with the four skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing at a higher level.  Additionally, the ability to translate and summarise will form part of the exam, and a film is studied: either La Haine or Au Revoir les Enfants depending on the member of staff who is teaching paper 2.
 
Work in terms of vocabulary, grammar and structure also continues in the following two broad topic areas:
  1. Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends (different family units/ cyber-society”/ volunteering)
  2. Artistic culture in the French-speaking world (heritage/ music/ cinema in French-speaking countries)
 

AS-Level

Paper 1: Listening, Reading, and Writing

Paper 2: Writing

 Paper 3: Speaking

Listening, Reading, Summaryies,

45% of AS-Level

1hrs 45 

June

1 Essay on the film + translation into French

25% of AS-Level

1hr 30

June

2 Stimulus Cards from 2 different sub-themes listed above

30% of A-Level

12-14mins + 15 mins preparation 

April or May

External Examiner
 
YEAR 13
Language work continues at a higher level across all skills practised in Year 12 and additionally focuses on the following topic areas:
  1. Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues (diversity, marginalisation, the treatment of criminals)
  2. Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world (young people and politics, strikes and demonstrations, immigration policy)
Furthermore, students will take an in-depth look at L´étranger by Albert Camus and select a topic of their liking for their Individual Research Project, in the oral examination. 
  1. French-speaking society: current trends (different family units/ cyber-society”/ volunteering)
  2. Artistic culture in the French-speaking world (heritage/ music/ cinema in French-speaking countries)
 

A-Level

Paper 1: Listening, Reading, and Writing

Paper 2: Writing

 Paper 3: Speaking

Listening, Reading, Summary, Translation into French and Translation into English

50% of A-Level

2hrs 30 

June

1 Essay each on the book and the film

20% of A -Level

2hrs

June

1 Stimulus Card from 1 sub-theme & Individual Research Project (IRP)

30% of A-Level

16-18mins 

April or May

External Examiner
 
Enrichment

Students have the opportunity to spend four days in Paris to discover the main cultural landmarks of the French capital city. This is a cultural trip, visiting, amongst others Montmartre and the Arc de Triomphe, the Palais de Versailles, Sainte Chapelle as well as a variety of museums, such as the Musée d’Orsay. The programme of visits varies year on year.

We attend French conferences or film study days in London when appropriate and possible, and all students take part in the UK Linguistics Olympiad (UKLO).

We also run a French and German film club at lunchtime, usually, aimed at Year 11-13 students, in which we show current French/German films in the target language, with English subtitles, and the MFL Society, where topics of interest related to language, literature or culture are discussed.

All students are encouraged to deliver a talk in English on a topic which interests them particularly, related to French-speaking countries. You can also contribute articles in the target language and English to the Modern Languages journal. You can play an active part in the organisation of the “semaine de la francophonie” in March and become a language prefect, giving you a range of responsibilities.

Further detail can be accessed via:  http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/as-and-a-level

CONTACT DETAILS

Mrs Isabelle Saunders, Head of French
Email: isaunders@saintolaves.net