Sixth Form Handbook 2022-24

FRENCH

Course content and structure Although the disciplines associated with this subject are the same as GCSE - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, and the study of grammar, the A-Level course offers you a broad “liberal arts” education. France has played a key role in European and world history, culture, art and literature, and studying French at A-Level will broaden your mind. You will learn about the current trends, social issues, history, politics, art, literature and film of the francophone world. French links well to Humanities and Arts A-Levels, whilst offering a refreshing blast of culture for those studying Mathematics and Science. French A-Level is a taster of what you can expect to study if you choose a Modern Languages degree at university. Paper 1 - Listening, Reading and Writing (2.5 hours, 50% of the A-Level) This consists of passages of audio andwritten language, to which you respond by answering written questions in French. You will also translate two passages of 100 words, one into French, one into English. This paper demands a written essay on each of the two works studied, a film and a novel. All questions require a critical and analytical appreciation of the issues covered and of features such as the form and the technique of presentation, e.g. the effect of the narrative voice in the novel, or camera work in the film. Both the film and the book are chosen to link in with the social issues studied and past pupils will tell you that this is one of the most enjoyable elements of French A-Level studies. Paper 3 - Speaking (20 minutes, 30% of the A-Level) Pupils undertake an individual research project from Paper 2 - Writing (2 hours, 20% of the A-Level)

one of four sub-themes, i.e. aspects of French- speaking society, current trends or current issues, artistic culture in the French-speaking world or aspects of political life. Pupils present their research and discuss their findings with the examiner. In addition, pupils prepare a stimulus card based on one of the themes above, discussed for a further five minutes. What pupils need to learn At A-Level, pupils build on the strong basis that they will have already achieved at GCSE. In addition to an excellent command of grammar and linguistic structures, an interest in current affairs and a curiosity about the wider world are vital to the enjoyment of French A-Level. We teach pupils vocabulary from a wide range of authentic resources so that they are able to debate a variety issues, both orally and in writing, and understand written and aural material. We also encourage pupils to see French films, read widely, research areas of interest and speak French Every year, A-Level pupils are offered the opportunity of a week’s immersion course in Montpellier, when pupils stay with local families and study French every morning. We also encourage our A-Level candidates to spend part of their holidays in a country where French is spoken. Throughout the A-Level course, pupils will be offered the chance to view a range of films, access library resources and attend short courses. In addition, the Internet provides us with limitless access to French current affairs, resources for languages learners and podcasts of interviews and news items to keep abreast of topical issues in the target language. whenever possible. Other notes

University and careers links The specification is designed to provide a suitable foundation for the study of the subject or related courses in further and higher education. Languages are important in almost all careers in our increasingly global society, and universities view languages as being some of the more rigorous and intellectually demanding subjects at A-Level. France remains one of Britain’s biggest trading partners and the language most in demand by British companies.

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