Two year A Level
The department follows the Edexcel A Level French course. The A Level course assesses the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), but also assumes a degree of awareness of the broader cultural aspects of life in the countries concerned. The content of the courses is based on a number of contemporary themes and the study of literature, history and film is included within these themes. The following contemporary themes are a sample of what is covered throughout the course: La Musique; le Monde du Travail; l’Extrême Droite; La France Occupée; L’impact positif de l’Immigration. Throughout the course, pupils learn to use language effectively to express their ideas, develop an argument and to analyse and evaluate.
Pupils are encouraged to acquire a high level of grammatical competency. The principal aim is to develop confidence and competence in practical communication skills for study, work and leisure. Skills in reading, speaking, writing and listening will develop and pupils will acquire an increased knowledge and understanding of language structures.
The A Level course also affords students the opportunity to undertake a research-based project on an area of interest to the pupil.
Pupils also benefit from weekly lessons in small groups of two or three with the French language assistant to develop spoken fluency and gain confidence in producing accurate language on the spot.
Two year A Level
The two-year AS in French offers those students who do not wish to opt for a full A Level the opportunity to continue with French in the Sixth Form. In doing so, pupils will gain practical language skills over and above those acquired at GCSE and a widely-respected qualification held in high esteem by both universities and employers. French is spoken on every continent and remains the second most widely learned foreign language in the world after English. A command of the French language opens up many opportunities with French companies (France is the fifth biggest economy in the world), not to mention opportunities in Canada, Switzerland, Belgium and all of francophone Africa.
For the two-year AS course we follow the AQA AS Specification. The AS course includes the study of one set text in addition to a number of themes such as the changing nature of family, contemporary French music, and French cinema.
The course is particularly suitable for those students with a clear specialism in other subject areas but who would nevertheless like to add a language to support their university application and future job prospects. The course is both rigorous and rewarding and, in addition to the obvious linguistic benefits, it seeks to develop pupils’ communication and independent research skills.
