Students can apply for the full A Level as one of their 3 or 4 subjects, or for the AS Level as a 4th subject.

Entry Requirements

GCSE in the relevant language at Grade 6 or higher. 

Exam Board: AQA

Why Study French, German or Spanish?

Travel broadens the mind and never more so than when you speak the language.

Languages at A or AS Level offer you the fantastic opportunity to work towards becoming a linguist, but that’s not all. Languages are a great subject to study alone but also offer excellent opportunities alongside other subjects.

This course is designed to give you a profound understanding of your chosen language and the cultures of the people who speak it.  Not only will you know more about the mechanics of the language, grammar and vocabulary, but you will also learn how people live and use language on a day-to-day basis.

What Topics Will I Study?

A LEVEL: 

The subject content covers the following topics:

• Social issues and trends

• Political and artistic culture

• Literary texts and films

AS LEVEL: 

The subject content covers the following topics:

• Aspects of social and current trends

• Artistic culture

• Literacy text or film

How Will I Be Assessed?

This course is linear which means that you will sit all exams at the end of the two year course for A Level or one year course for AS Level.

A LEVEL - There are 3 papers:

• Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (50% of A Level), assessing topics 1 and 2

• Paper 2: Writing (20% of A level), assessing topic 3

• Paper 3: Speaking (30% of A level), based on a discussion of a sub-theme from topics 1 and 2 and a presentation of an individual research project.

AS LEVEL - There are 3 papers:

• Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (45% of AS Level)

• Paper 2: Writing (25% of AS Level), assessing one text or film

• Paper 3: Speaking (30% of AS Level), based on two sub-themes with the discussion on a stimulus card for each sub-theme.

An Example/Illustration of the Type of Work Involved

A Level: In the topic of aspects of political life, you will explore: Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment, demonstrations, strikes, who holds the power, politics and immigration.

In the topic of literacy texts or films, you will study either one text and one film or two texts from a prescribed list.

AS Level: In the topic of artistic culture, you will explore: heritage, music and art .

In the topic of literacy texts or films, you will study either one text or one film as prescribed.

What Careers or Higher Education Follow from this Subject?

Your A or AS Level in MFL can help with numerous career paths.

A language degree or having languages as part of your degree will give you broader career options. Studying languages teaches you all the skills that employers look for: excellent communication and presentation skills, fantastic cultural and intercultural awareness, the ability to think critically and analytically and the capacity to retain and recall large quantities of information. 

Language skills are invaluable for those interested in travel, the tourism industry, academia and research, translation and interpretation, teaching, international trade and business, foreign aid work, journalism, the diplomatic service and much, much more!