AS Level French

French (AS and A Level)

FRENCH

AS and A Level (Edexcel)

Campus: Cheadle and Marple

(03.02.09)

Course overview

French is the study of the language and culture of France and the French-speaking world. During the course, you will build up your confidence and competence in the language and extend your knowledge of French literature and civilisation.

Much of the work involves discussion and debate on important issues of interest to students.

AS Level (year one)

Unit One

Spoken Expression and Response.

You will be expected to give relevant and appropriate information on a topic of your choice, drawn from specified topic areas such as healthy and unhealthy lifestyles: diet, exercise, drugs, smoking and alcohol; youth culture and values; travel, sport, the arts. You will give opinions, interact and respond to a range of questions.

Unit Two

Understanding and Written Response:

You will develop your ability to understand and respond to French-language texts and recordings on a range of subjects, generally drawn from the media. You will build on the language learned at GCSE to extend and develop your ability to write fluently and accurately.

A Level (year two)

Unit Three

Understanding and Spoken Response:

The basis of this unit is the development of debating skills and the ability to present, justify and defend a clear stance on a chosen issue.

Unit Four

Research, Understanding and Written Response:

This unit enables you to develop advanced-level writing skills, which will be demonstrated through discursive essays. Topics include questions of current interest such as immigration, social issues, the environment, etc. You will also study literature and civilisation, particularly selected texts and films.

How you will learn

You will learn through class discussions, group and pair work and activities based on authentic audio and video recordings all of which develop written skills, comprehension and oral fluency. Individual research for the oral units is important and you will be supported in this by regular meetings with the French Assistant.

You will have the opportunity to take part in a visit to France as well as many other enrichment activities.

How you will be assessed

Assessment is by examination at the end of the year.

Special entry requirements

You will need a minimum Grade B at GCSE. It is recommended that students who enrol with Grade B attend a weekly support session during the first term to help with the transition from GCSE to AS Level.

What the students say

Lessons are varied lots of different activities and ways of working: Year 1 student

The residential was brilliant I was apprehensive about staying with a host family but staying with them was one of the best experiences ever! Year 2 student

Other useful information

HE courses allow you to study French as part of a traditional Modern Languages degree, or you can take a language combined with subjects as diverse as Chemistry, Computer Science, Law or Marketing.

Career options are many and varied for those who are fluent in one or more languages.

Our exam results at A Level are excellent and there is a good tradition of Oxbridge entry. There is always plenty going on for those who want to get involved!