French

Course summary

An A-Level in French, German, or Spanish is suitable for those pupils who have enjoyed studying a language at GCSE and who wish to deepen their understanding of the language and culture of France, Germany, or Spain. Languages are an excellent choice as they are highly regarded by universities and seen as a facilitating subject, which allows access to a wide variety of university courses. In Year 12, you will study two key topics with a focus on the country of the language you are studying. The first main theme relates to French, German, or Spanish society and covers topics such as attitudes towards marriage, family, education, and the world of work. The second main theme is politics and culture - this allows pupils to study the music, media, festivals, and traditions of the country in question. Pupils are also required to study a set text or film, discussing the themes and the relevance of the work to contemporary society, in the way you would study English literature or film. In Year 13, you will revise the content covered in Year 12 and go on to discuss immigration and multicultural society in France, Germany or Spain. In addition to the work studied in the Lower Sixth, you are required to study a second book or film which is related to immigration in France, German reunification, or the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Franco. Throughout the course, you will study the tenses and grammatical points of the target language and learn how to write and speak independently for a wide range of purposes. The skills of interpreting and translation are also introduced and practised throughout the course.