French

Students will need to demonstrate an ability to study at least 3 A-level subjects by achieving an average of 38 points over 8 GCSEs with a Grade 4 at least in English and Mathematics. Students should gain a Grade 6 or above in subjects they wish to study at A Level. Points are worked out on the bases that a Grade 9 = 9 points, Grade 8 = 8 points etc.

Please check for subject specific requirements.

Please note, our preferred method of application is via https://wymondhamhigh.applicaa.com/year12

French is one of the official languages of the European Union, the United Nations, and NATO, and is spoken by over 200 million people. It is the language of culture, fashion, cuisine, philosophy and literature. A mastery of French provides a competitive advantage on the international job market, opening the door to the world’s fifth biggest economy, as well as to French-speaking countries across the globe. As the language of Europe’s cultural powerhouse, studying French will broaden your horizons and help you see the world from a different perspective.

The study of French provides intellectual stimulation and fulfilment, together with a platform for further study. French can be studied with a wide range of other subjects at University from Economics to Politics. Furthermore, France is renowned for its prestigious higher education institutions offering students the opportunity to further their studies abroad. The A-level French course allows you to engage with current social trends in France, as well as artistic culture, film and literature, and aspects of political life in the French-speaking world. The programme of study will provide opportunities for independent research and access to a wide range of authentic sources across a variety of media. By the end of the two-year course, you will be able to speak quite fluently in a foreign language, an invaluable skill to employers, 30% of whom want employees specifically for their language skills.

CONTENT

ASPECTS OF FRENCH-SPEAKING SOCIETY:

• The changing nature of the family
• The ‘cyber-society’
• The place of voluntary work
• Positive features of a diverse society
• Life for the marginalised
• How criminals are treated

ARTISTIC CULTURE
• A culture proud of its heritage
• Contemporary francophone music
• Cinema: the 7th art form

ASPECTS OF POLITICAL LIFE IN THE FRENCH-SPEAKING WORLD
• Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment
• Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?
• Politics and immigration

FILM & LITERATURE
• Students must study one text and one film from a specified list

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT
• Identify a subject or key question which relates to a country where the
language studied is spoken. These findings will be discussed during
the speaking assessment.

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Translation, 2 hours 30 minutes,
40% of A-level.
Paper 2: Writing, 2 hours, 30% of A-level.
Paper 3: Speaking, 21-23 minutes, 30% of A-level.

A minimum of a B in GCSE French (higher tier listening and reading paper).

Learning a language gives you the opportunity to travel and engage with new cultures.
• If you have mastered another language it says a lot about you; you are determined, culturally aware, hard-working, and articulate with the confidence to adapt to a new environment.
• A recent survey, conducted by the CBI in conjunction with Pearson Education, found that 62% of employers felt school leavers lacked sufficient language skills. This makes A-level linguists valuable commodities in a competitive employment market.
• 75% of the world population speak no English at all. • 80% of English exporters are unable to conduct business in a foreign language and lose business as a result.
• There are health benefits to languages! A recent study, published in ‘Neurology’ found that speaking a second language may delay the onset of three different types of dementia.