French

Course summary

A language A Level complements a whole variety of subjects. Many students study a language at university, either as a major or minor subject and many take advantage of university placements abroad as part of their programme. Languages are needed for all sorts of careers – and mastering a language to a high level often gives pupils an edge in the jobs market. A Level French builds on the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing that pupils have acquired at GCSE or equivalent. Through the study of the topic areas, they develop language skills and their understanding of people and culture in French-speaking countries. Effective language learning skills are crucial, and we put a strong emphasis on the daily learning of new vocabulary and practising various grammar structures. Regular listening and reading are also vital in the language learning process, as the more pupils are exposed to authentic texts and audio sources, the better their command of the language will become. During the course, pupils will study a film, such as ‘Au revoir les enfants’, and novel, such as ‘No et Moi’ (Delphine de Vigan) or ‘L’Etranger’ (Albert Camus). The oral examination includes a discussion of an individual research project. This provides an opportunity to identify and research an area of interest related to the French-speaking world.