French

The A-level course covers a range of social issues and cultural topics which all relate to life in France and French-speaking countries. It builds on the topics of GCSE, but introduces new language so that students develop a thorough insight into aspects of French culture. Students study a French film in depth, and in the second year of the course they focus on a work of French literature. More contemporary issues such as modern French music, the changing nature of the family and the multicultural society, are also core elements of study.

Students develop their ability to express themselves fluently in the spoken language, carrying out an independent research project into an aspect of French culture or society that is of particular interest to them, and then discussing it in depth in the oral exam. Alongside the skill to translate accurately from and into French, students extend their ability to write evidence-based, persuasive essays in French. In Year 12 topics studied include: the education system in France, the world of work, changing family structures, music, the media, festivals and traditions and a French film. In Year 13 the course includes: multiculturalism and the rise of the far-right in France, France under the Occupation and the Resistance, a work of French
literature and an independent research topic.

At the end of Year 13, French A-level has three exams: a comprehension paper with listening and reading tasks; a writing paper, comprising two essays and a translation; and an oral exam.