DP French B at GESS (HL and SL)

At GESS, French B offers students the opportunity to deepen their language skills and cultural understanding in an immersive and communicative environment. The course is designed for students with prior experience in French, providing them with the tools to communicate effectively and confidently in a variety of contexts. Through the study of practical and cultural themes, students develop their linguistic abilities while enhancing their global awareness and appreciation of the francophone world.

💠 Why Study French B at GESS?
👉 Language Proficiency – The course helps students strengthen their speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills, enabling them to communicate more effectively in academic, professional, and social contexts.
👉 Cultural Exploration – Students engage with the diverse cultures of the French-speaking world, exploring traditions, social issues, and historical contexts, which broadens their global perspective.
👉 Practical Communication – French B emphasizes the use of language in real-world contexts, allowing students to express themselves confidently on topics such as daily life, social relationships, and global issues.
👉 Global Perspective – The course prepares students to engage meaningfully in French-speaking environments, providing them with the skills to navigate diverse cultural contexts and global challenges.

💠 Core Units
The French B curriculum is structured around five prescribed themes, providing students with a relevant and comprehensive framework for language learning:

• Identities – Exploring personal identity, relationships, and cultural understanding.

• Experiences – Understanding travel, leisure, holidays, and cultural activities.

• Human Ingenuity – Examining creativity, technology, media, and the arts in French-speaking societies.

• Social Organization – Investigating the roles of communities, institutions, and social structures in French-speaking cultures.

• Sharing the Planet – Discussing global issues such as sustainability, environmental challenges, and social justice in the francophone world.

💠 Assessment
🔸 Internal Assessment (IA) – The individual oral assessment, where students engage in a conversation with the teacher, discussing a visual stimulus and exploring at least one of the prescribed themes.
🔸 Examinations

• Paper 1 (Writing) – Students demonstrate their writing skills through two written tasks based on the prescribed themes, producing organized and thoughtful responses.

• Paper 2 (Listening and Reading) – Students complete comprehension exercises based on authentic French texts, including audio and written passages related to the themes.

French B at GESS: HL vs. SL

🔹 Higher Level (HL):
HL students explore more complex aspects of the language and culture, including advanced vocabulary and grammar. They engage with more challenging texts, perform in-depth analysis, and are required to demonstrate higher proficiency in writing and speaking tasks. HL students also engage in more advanced cultural analysis and study a broader range of topics related to global and francophone issues.

• Differences for HL:

  • More extensive content, including deeper linguistic structures and cultural studies.

  • More advanced writing tasks and oral assessments, requiring detailed analysis and reflection.

  • HL students complete more challenging tasks that involve nuanced cultural understanding and critical thinking.

🔹 Standard Level (SL):
SL students focus on building strong foundational language skills, enhancing their ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations. The course emphasizes practical language use and provides students with the tools to interact confidently in a variety of contexts. While the themes are the same, SL students engage with less complex texts and materials, and the assessments are tailored to ensure functional communication rather than advanced analysis.

• Differences for SL:

  • Core curriculum with a focus on functional language skills and real-world communication.

  • Writing and oral tasks are generally more concise, with a focus on practical application.

  • Less in-depth analysis of cultural materials compared to HL, focusing more on general understanding.

At GESS, French B at both HL and SL prepares students to engage with the francophone world, develop their language proficiency, and become confident communicators equipped for academic, professional, and personal interactions in French-speaking contexts.