Why do french at qe?

A few key facts:

• Having a language can add between 10% and 15% to your wage. For those looking to stand out in a tough jobs market, or for graduates wanting to add oomph to their CV, learning a language could be just the thing. (The Guardian)

• If you are applying for a competitive course, such as medicine, French is a highly respected, academic subject, which gives you valuable additional communication skills. It makes you stand out from other scientists and is therefore an excellent choice.

• Many degree courses, even science based ones, can be combined with some element of a language, eg Law with international law, Biology with a year in France, Rubber materials and French, Medicine with an elective somewhere exotic like la Réunion or Mauritius.

• In business, if the French want to sell you something, they will speak English, if you want to sell the French something, vous devez parler français!

• France is the premier tourist destination in the world. For anyone wanting to work in the tourist or hospitality industry, French is a vital commodity.

• Only 6.5% of the world’s population speak English as their first language and a massive 75% of the world do not speak a word of English.

• Languages Graduates have lower unemployment rates than those with other degrees (3^rd after Medicine & Education)

We expect most people to do the full French A level course. Languages are the obvious choice for a ‘linear’ course, where everything is tested at the end, as you just get better and better at it!

The new A level is an exciting opportunity, not only to improve your French to a fairly fluent level, but also to learn all about French life, culture, films and society. You will be so good at the language by the 2^nd year that we will be able to read a short French novel together!

We asked our students and this is what they said:

''A-Level French is much more intriguing then at GCSE. You learn lots of useful things that can actually interest you and which you can relate to and you get to come up with your own ideas and opinions. QE is great and I’m so glad that I changed my mind and came to study here. When I came here, I left behind most of my old friends but have made even better ones!

The French department is like a family in which you always feel welcome. Also you learn much more French than at GCSE level, which gives you much more confidence in your linguistic skills and gives you the feeling that you are speaking French fluently.

I like QE because I feel like there is a lot more freedom than at school. This makes me feel more independent and more relaxed while studying here. The teachers are so supportive and enthusiastic and make you feel good about the subject. Overall QE is a GREAT college!

I think that while studying French at QE you are given much more support than you get at GCSE. Also you learn much more grammar and you ACTUALLY LEARN instead of having to memorise certain words like at secondary school.

There are conversation classes that most schools and Colleges don’t have, which allow you to practise the topics you have learned with different people. Once you’ve come to the end of the first year you feel as if you can actually have a conversation in French and be able to understand a full text instead of just a few words.

Studying French at QE fills any gaps you have had at GCSE and everyone is brought up to the same level so you can all learn together contentedly. I feel much more confident reading aloud and speaking French in the class.

French is FANTASTIC, especially the teachers who are really helpful and kind. I would highly recommend you to study French if you want to improve and to be able to speak fluently in it. The lessons are also more exciting than at GCSE and you get to go on different French trips which are great.

In A level French you really begin to understand how the language works, rather than just learning phrases and learning coursework off by heart. You also learn much more about French culture (very interesting). QE is a really good place for languages because everyone helps each other to improve their language skills.

I actually enjoy coming to QE to attend my French lessons because every lesson we learn more about different cultures, and more about the world, which is so important. The lessons are quiet and peaceful which allow you to be stress free and so you can easily settle in to the college environment. ''