French Curriculum Summary for Key Stage 5

Why study French ?

Over the past few years our students have enjoyed a good success rate at AS and A2 level and have progressed well to University.

Teaching groups are small allowing students to fully develop their linguistic skills as teachers are available to help individuals achieve their full potential and express themselves confidently in French at the level required for AS and A2 in a friendly atmosphere.

As French groups are small, the school does not need to have a visiting examiner for the speaking examination at AS and A2 level and consequently students will feel more at ease in this situation.

Past students have also enjoyed participating in activities organized by the Alliance Française – an organization aimed at promoting the French language and culture – such as conferences at Newcastle University and regional essay prizes. Theatre and cinema visits have also been on offer to students.

What are the benefits of studying French?

By studying French you will:

• Understand the cultural, social, commercial, historical, geographical and political background of  France through the use of authentic material such as newspapers, magazines, television, etc.
• Enjoy an intellectual stimulation and challenge through group and pair discussions as well as individual work.
• Complement your studies in other subjects by pursuing particular areas of interest in greater depth and developing a personal and independent response to them such as, for example, environmental and social issues.
• Follow a coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course which will provide you with the necessary foundation either to continue with the study of French as a main subject or as a useful adjunct to some other subject at university.
• Increase your job prospects in view of the expanding opportunities to work in Europe in various sectors of employment.

GCE French

Students prepare French AS and A2 with AQA. Below is the information provided  by the examining board.

AS French

Students take two examinations at AS level and study the following topics:

• Media (TV, advertising and communication technology)

• Popular Culture (cinema, music and fashion/ trends)
• Healthy living/ lifestyle (sport/ exercise, health and well-being and holidays)
• Family/ Relationships (relationships within the family, friendships and marriage/ partnerships)

A2 French

Students study the following topics:

• Environment (Pollution, energy and protecting the planet)
  • The multi-cultural society (Immigration, integration and racism)
  • Contemporary social issues (Wealth and poverty, law and order and the impact of scientific and technological progress)
  • Cultural topic (The study of a French speaking region/ community OR the study of a period of 20^th century history from a French speaking country/ community OR the study of a novelist/ dramatist/ poet from a French speaking country/ community OR the study of a director/ architect/ musician/ painter from a French speaking country/ community)

Students take 2 examinations at A2 level: