At Key Stage 5 lessons are usually shared between two or three teachers to accommodate teaching specialisms.
In French there are 9 taught lessons for every subject and at least one supervised Independent Lesson which is usually taken in the ILC (Independent Learning Centre). In addition, students are expected to spend private study time on preparing for lessons, developing notes and checking understanding, practising exam questions, and working on retrieval and recall.
Developing independence is key at this stage as students are preparing to move on to University or the world of work. Teaching is designed to encourage this through ‘prepare for learning’ activities, wider reading and projects.
Our reviews will capture progress made in independent learning skills through the Attitude to Learning grade they are given.
The A Level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity, which are valuable to the individual and society. As languages are increasingly sought after in all aspects of business, the content is suitable for students who wish to progress to employment or to further study, including a modern foreign languages degree or combined with various other disciplines.
We study the following themes over the course of year 12:
Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends
- The changing nature of family, the ‘cyber-society’ and the place of voluntary work.
Artistic culture in the French-speaking world
- A culture proud of its heritage, contemporary francophone music and cinema.
Film: La Haine (Mathieu Kassovitz).
We study the following themes over the course of year 13:
Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues
- Positive features of a diverse society, life for the marginalised, how criminals are treated.
Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world
- Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment, demonstrations, strikes, politics and immigration
Novel: ‘Un Sac de Billes’ (Joseph Joffo)
For this project, students must identify a subject or a key question which is of interest to them and which relates to a country or countries where French is spoken. They must select relevant information in French from a range of sources including the internet. The aim of the project is to develop research skills as well as giving the students the freedom to deepen their understanding of a topic which is of personal interest to them. Students will demonstrate their ability to initiate and conduct individual research by analysing and summarising their findings, in order to present and discuss them in the speaking exam at the end of year 13.
Assessment is by exams at the end of year 13.
Paper 1 - Listening, Reading, Writing. 2 and a half hours, 100 marks, 50% of A Level.
Paper 2 - Writing. 2 hours, 80 marks, 20% of A Level.
Paper 3 - Speaking. 21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation time), 60 marks, 30% of A Level.
601/8727/X
Miss L Richardson
AQA
Students are expected to have 5 Grade 5 GCSEs including:
Grade 5 or above in English Language
Grade 6 or above in French
Former students have gone on to study a variety of languages at university, as well as combining languages with courses in Law, Business or Politics. It is also worth considering that many universities offer the opportunity to study a language as a subsidiary subject alongside a different degree, allowing you to keep up your language skills while you study something completely different as your main degree subject.
Speaking a foreign language can open up opportunities in a huge range of careers, as well as offering the chance of living or studying abroad, whether for a short time or permanently.