French

This A-level builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. This is an academic course with an ambitious and varied content, which will not only equip students with skills highly sought after by universities and employers but which will also enhance their general culture, self-confidence and develop their intellectual curiosity. 

The content focuses on how French-speaking society has been shaped, socially and culturally, and how it continues to change. Aspects of the artistic life and social backgrounds are covered including issues such as integration, secularism, immigration, politics, heritage, technologies, the evolving structure of the family unit and modern history. For example, students look at immigration from a political perspective and at the way in which political power is expressed through action such as strikes and demonstrations. Students will therefore develop their knowledge and understanding of these themes relating to the culture and society of countries where French is spoken and this will further improve their understanding of the wider global world enabling them to question, reflect and discover important issues. 

A wide range of up-to-date authentic spoken and written sources are used as a basis to improve students’ linguistic abilities within the context of these themes. Emphasis is put on building a rich vocabulary and idiomatic personal style backed up by sophisticated grammar systems. Tasks such as class discussions, presentations, translations, essays and comprehension exercises are used in and out of the classroom as independent learning is also encouraged.  Intensive practice in small groups and on a one-to-one basis with staff allow MV16 students to progress at a brisk but enjoyable pace. 

The French A Level course is suitable for students who wish to progress to employment or further study, including degrees and higher degrees where their academic and linguistic skills and their understanding of other cultures will be well received, even on competitive courses such as Medicine and Law.  

Assessment

There are three exams at the end of the two-year course:

Paper 1 - Listening, reading and translation - 2 hours - 40% of the qualification

There is no access to a dictionary during the assessment which draws on vocabulary and themes studied during the course. It is divided into 3 sections:

Paper 2 - Written response to works and translation into French - 2 hours and 40 minutes - 30% of qualification

There is no access to a dictionary or to texts and films during the assessment.

This paper is divided into 3 sections:

Paper 3 - Speaking - 21 to 23 minutes - 30% of A-level

No access to a dictionary during the assessment (including 5 minutes preparation). Internally conducted and externally assessed..

Oral exam: 21-23 minutes (including 5 minutes’ preparation time)

There are 2 tasks for this assessment: