French

Thank you for choosing to apply for Attleborough Sixth Form - for further information about our courses, please refer to the course guide on our website.

Applications made before 01 January will be considered while blocking subjects for our timetable. If you apply after this date, the blocking for subjects will have already been determined. If the subjects you have chosen do not fit into the blocking, you will be notified as soon as possible, to arrange a conversation with our Sixth Form team in order to discuss alternatives.

We follow the AQA specification. This course allows in-depth study of a range of topics relating to the culture and society of French speaking countries, as well as developing candidates’ grammatical skills and awareness.

Year 1 Components

a) Current trends in French-speaking society (the changing state of the family, the “cyber-society”, the place of voluntary work)

b) Artistic culture in the French-speaking world (culture & heritage, contemporary francophone music, cinema: the 7^th art form)

c) Study of a French literary text or film

Year 2 Components

d) Current issues in French-speaking society (positive features of a diverse society, life for the marginalised, how criminals are treated)

e) Political life in the French-speaking world (the right to vote & political commitment, politics & immigration, who holds power?)

f) Study of another French novel or film

g) Individual research project to form basis of the speaking exam (the research of a subject or key question which is of interest to you and which relates to a French-speaking country).

Assessment

Listening, reading and writing: 2 hr 30 minute paper

Candidates respond to a variety of spoken and written sources, including authentic sources. They also complete a translation into English and into French.

Writing: 2 hr paper

Candidates answer two critical essay questions based on the novels/films they have studied.

Speaking: 21-23 minute oral exam

This includes the discussion of a stimulus card based on one of units a, b,d or e followed by a presentation and discussion of the candidate’s individual research project.

GCSE French 6 | English 5

A Level French works well in combination with many other subjects including Law, Politics, History and Arts. This A Level provides an excellent basis for a number of university degrees from Modern Languages and European Studies to Hospitality.

The French specification will naturally enhance the communication skills of candidates. Similarly, opportunities will arise to explore the spiritual, moral, ethical and cultural dimensions of topics studied. The mastery of French provides a competitive advantage on the international job market.