FRENCH

LEVEL 3: A LEVEL
EXAMINING BOARD: AQA

If you wish to take your French language skills further you will find this course stimulating and varied. The topics differ from GCSE and the approach is different too.

Your time will be split between the classroom and the Language Lab and you will benefit from an individual 20 minutes oral session with a native speaker every week.

You can borrow a range of foreign language books, DVDs and other resources to extend your learning.

The more you read, listen and engage with French, the more progress you will make.

For a maximum challenge, you can attend the ‘Cercle Littéraire,’ where we read and discuss French short stories or poems.

By the end of the course you will be far more fluent in the spoken language and able to read, write and understand so much more.

AS Level French is available as an additional qualification to a Study Programme
 

You will study:

  • French media, culture, lifestyles, family and relationships
  • Current affairs
  • Contemporary social topics
  • Literature and film.

Topics include:

  • La famille en voie de changement
  • La cybersociété
  • Le bénévolat
  • Le patrimoine
  • La musique contemporaine
  • Le septième art
  • La diversité
  • La maginalisation
  • La criminalité
  • Les ados et la politique
  • Les grèves et les manifestations
  • L’immigration.

There is also an in-depth study of a book and a film, and you will carry out an individual research project on a topic of your choice.

As a minimum, you will need (or equivalent to):

  • GCSE Mathematics grade 4
  • GCSE English Language grade 4
  • GCSE French grade 5*
  • plus two more GCSEs at grade 4

*If you have not studied GCSE French you will need to be a competent speaker and must have five GCSEs (including Maths and English) at grade 4.

There are three exams:

  • Paper 1 – Listening, reading and writing
  • Paper 2 – Writing
  • Paper 3 – Oral exam.

Many students go on to study Language at university, often combined with another course e.g. Law, Business Studies, Maths, Politics or English.

With a language A Level, you have the choice to study any other language degree and your course will usually involve time abroad.

Popular career fields include diplomacy, national security, medicine and engineering.

Whatever you decide to do, your language skills will be an invaluable asset to you.

You will have critical thinking and problem-solving skills alongside the ability to build relationships across borders, a global outlook and intercultural confidence.

Businesses and organisations not only want to recruit multi-linguists they want people who have an understanding of foreign environments and practices, and who are first-class communicators.

Will there be opportunities to visit other countries?

We aim to offer opportunities to stay with families so you can experience the language and culture.

Past students have visited Lisieux as part of Taunton’s twinning partnership. This visit is designed to develop language skills and enhance your experience of learning a foreign language.