A and AS Level French

A & AS Level - French

• Course Level: A & AS Level
• Duration: 2 Year
• Start date: September 2010
• Qualification: AS / A Level French
• Awarded By: Edexcel

Introduction to course
More than 200 million people speak French in the world. Although it is spoken by fewer people than Chinese or Hindi it is, with English, the only language spoken on 5 continents. With a knowledge of French, students have access to a culture that significantly influences our own, as well as the potential to benefit from links with an economy that is one of the strongest in the world. France is also increasingly a leader in technological innovation, and so a knowledge of French could open doors for scientists, engineers and architects.

Course Details
The course consists of two units for AS and two units for A level. You will develop listening, reading, writing and speaking skills through a range of activities (reading articles from the press, debates, discussion, role play etc.) and you will learn about French society and the culture of Francophone countries. There will be an opportunity for you to develop your skills using the language laboratory, the internet and library. Once you progress to A2 level, you will be carrying out research into a topic of your choice, as well as studying French literature and cinema. As part of the course, there are opportunities to visit French-related events in London, and we hope to arrange a study trip to France.

Where the course lead
You can combine French with many other subjects at degree level. Alternatively you can study the language on its own or add a completely new one, making you much more employable. 60% of British trade is with non-English speaking countries, and customers are more likely to buy from you if you can communicate in their language. Language graduates have the oral and written communication skills demanded by employers - and employers are generally more interested in these skills than in subject-specific knowledge. Consequently, language graduates work in all sorts of areas, from banking and manufacturing to public administration and social work, not just in the 'obviously' language-related jobs such as translating or teaching. And, according to recruitment agencies, salary uplift for those using languages at work can be anything from 8-20%!

This course combines well with
French combines well with all sorts of subjects. You don't have to aim for total fluency in a language, as language courses at university cater for all levels from total beginner to specialist. Whatever career you subsequently choose to follow, your language skills can be of use.

Course Assessment
The course is assessed entirely by examination, in January and/or in the summer.

Course Progression
If you are in any doubt about whether studying French could lead to opportunities in the world of work, consider that French, along with English, is the official working language of the United Nations, UNESCO, NATO, OECD, The European Community, The International Olympic Committee, the Council of Europe and The International Red Cross. It is also the dominant language of the European Court of Justice.

Additional Information
Learning French doesn't mean that you only end up knowing French. French can enrich your cultural outlook by opening up a whole new world of films, books and people that you might not encounter otherwise. It also helps develop your knowledge of the English language, and the communication skills you learn can be applied in a multitude of contexts.

Careers
You have a huge array of options open to you. Whether you decide to enter a specialist language occupation or not, having expertise in a language will be an advantage. If you look at any recruitment website, you will see vacancies for project managers, research associates, marketing account executives, sales representatives, technical support officers . . . all based in the UK, but all looking for people who speak French. And the international opportunities are even more varied. For those who want to specialise, there are jobs for interpreters, translators and language teachers with a range of age groups and levels.