Why learn French?
In the twenty-first century, mobility is going to become ever more important, for work as well as for leisure. When you travel abroad you will discover that not everyone speaks English! Learning French will enrich any visits you make to French speaking countries. It will not only enable you to communicate in a foreign language but will also offer added insight into French culture and civilisation. You will be able to put your French to good use when visiting French websites and emailing French pen pals too. Learning French encourages positive attitudes towards other people and their culture.

What does learning French involve?
In their French classes pupils take part in activities which allow them to use French by developing the four language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Initially, you will learn to talk about topics like: Yourself, Your Family, School, Hobbies, and Everyday Life.

The Department encourages a wide variety of extracurricular activities: French Club, annual Year 9 French Breakfast, Christmas and Valentine Card competitions, KS4 annual trip to Paris, Post 16 participation in Alliance Française Debating, French Film Club, and Creative Writing Competitions. This year we are also planning an interschool French Hard Spell competition and a Mardi Gras Fancy Dress competition.

The 4 language skills are practised continually and these are assessed 3 times throughout the year, in November, February and June.

The latest version of the revised AS and A2 specification can be viewed and downloaded on the CCEA website at www.ccea.org.uk. Students build upon their previous experience of the language at GCSE, developing their competence in each of the four skill areas, as well as receiving an introduction to French literature and culture. The study of French to GCE A’ Level enables students to achieve excellent oral and written proficiency in the language.

A LEVEL SUBJECT CONTENT

AS

§ Speaking

§ Listening

§ Reading

§ Writing

A2

§ Speaking

§ Listening

§ Reading

§ Writing

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

AS 1

Speaking Question 1 Presentation

Question 2 Conversation

AS 2

Listening: Two questions based on 2 recorded passages (objective and in target language)

Reading: Question 1 objective type questions and questions in target language based on one text

Question 2 Translation into English

Writing: Extended writing question. Essay response to a stimulus text (200 – 250 words long)

A2 1

Speaking: Question 1 Discussion based on a societal theme. Question 2 Conversation

A2 2

Listening: Questions 1&2 based on 2 recorded passages(questions in target language & English)

Reading: Questions 1&2 Objective type tasks and questions in target language based on two texts

Question 3 Translation from English into French

Writing: One essay response (300-350 words) bases on a literary text

CAREERS POSSIBILITIES

Accountancy	Architecture	Banking
Bilingual secretarial	Diplomatic Service	Engineering Law
Export Marketing	Hotel and Catering Services	Information Science
International Business Admin	Interpreting	Journalism
Librarianship	Linguistics	Politics
Retail Marketing	Teaching	The Media
Tourism	Translating and Interpreting	Transport

ANY OTHER INFORMATION

It is recommended that students spend some time in France in Year 13. The globalisation of the world economy has placed anyone possessing good language skills in a strong marketable position as regards employment. Companies and other organisations are, more than ever before, operating on an international rather than a national basis.

Key Skills IT can be facilitated in AS French.

Key Stage 3	The programme of study at KS3 covers three topic areas: Everyday Activities, Personal Life and Social Relationships, and the World Around Us.
KS4 / GCSE	As part of their KS4 studies pupils are required to learn a modern foreign language. The programme of study for French covers 4 contexts: Myself and Others, My Locality, Travel and Holidays, Work and Continuing Education.
AS LEVEL	In AS French, you will study the following contexts: Personal and Social Relationships (family life, young people’s issues, leisure) Social and Political Issues (environment, citizenship and politics) Education and Work (school routine, careers and employment, continuing education)
A LEVEL	In A Level French, you will study the same contexts as for AS, but with the focus will include the following topics :The elderly, pressures on family life, rights and responsibilities, the mass media, pollution, conservation, multicultural societies, European identity, democracy and human rights, French education system, preparation for working life, preparation for student life.