Why study A level French?
Do you enjoy unravelling the French language? Are you interested in the life and culture of French speaking countries? If so, a French A level will help you to embed a range of transferable skills including communication, research skills and creativity, which will be a valuable tool in your working life. The content of the course can offer a key to success if you are looking for a career with international connections, or as an add-on to a bundle of subjects at A level or university standard.
Level: A level
Board: AQA
Head of department:
Mrs F Chase
Entry requirement: Grade 7 GCSE French; five grade5s at GCSE including English and
maths
How is A level French delivered and assessed?
Year | Unit | Content | Assessment |
12 | Themes and grammar | Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends (e.g. family structures, cyber-society, role of volunteering) Introduction to French grammar | Ongoing classroom assessment |
Film or text study | Study of one French-language film from the AQA set list | Essay writing, classroom discussion, mock exams | |
Speaking practice | Role-plays and general conversation Development of fluency and accuracy | Teacher-led oral tasks and end-of-year mock | |
13 | Listening, reading and writing (50%) | Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues (e.g. diversity, immigration) Artistic culture and political life Grammar & translation practice | 2-hour and 30-minute written exam |
Writing (20%) | Study of one literary text and one film, or two literary texts (e.g. No et Moi, L’Étranger) | 2-hour written exam Two analytical essays in French | |
Speaking (30%) | Individual Research Project (IRP) Discussion of one sub-theme from a stimulus card | 21–23 min oral exam (incl. 5 min prep) |