French

Assessment

Candidates are assessed on three units. All examinations are sat at the end of the two-year course. Paper 1: Listening, reading and writing 2 hours 30 minutes (50%) This paper assesses aspects of the target-language society, including current trends and issues, the artistic culture of the target-language society, aspects of the political life of the target language society and grammar. The examination includes listening and reading comprehension exercises and translations to and from English. No dictionaries are permitted in the examination. Paper 2: Writing 2 hours (20%) For this paper, candidates must study either two literary texts or one literary text and one film from the prescribed list. Candidates must write one essay in the target language on each of the works studied. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered in the work, as well as a critical and analytical response to features such as form and technique of presentation. Candidates are expected to write approximately 300 words in each of the two essays. No dictionaries are permitted in the examination and pupils will not have access to the text or film during the assessment. Paper 3: Speaking 21-23 minutes (30%) Candidates are assessed on an individual research project and on one of the four sub-themes of the main content themes. The examination will be conducted by one of the Downside teachers. Pupils will also need a full-size dictionary. The department recommends the Collins suite of dictionaries.