Why Study French?

Studying French will help you to communicate in the language, as well as helping you to understand the language in speech and writing. It will benefit you when you meet French-speaking people both at home and abroad. You will learn about the culture of countries where French is spoken and will be able to communicate with young people of your own age in these countries. French is also a very useful language for business.

Theme 1: Identity and Culture

• Me, my family and friends
• Technology in everyday life
• Free-time activities
• Customs and festivals in French-speaking countries/communities

Theme 2: Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest

• Home, town, neighbourhood and region
• Social issues
• Global issues
• Travel and tourism

Theme 3: Current and Future Study and Employment

• My studies
• Life at school/college
• Education post-16
• Jobs, career choices and ambitions

You will learn the following skills:

• Listening      
• Speaking  
• Writing
• Reading

 

 

 

Assessment

All skills are assessed by final examination and no dictionaries are allowed. There is no coursework. Each examination paper carries 25% of the final mark.

Listening: 50 minutes. Understanding different types of spoken language. You will listen to messages, dialogues, announcements, discussions, narratives etc in French on a recording that has pauses to give you time to write your answers. Some questions in English, some in French, with answers requiring words, phrases or often a letter or matching.

Speaking: One hour. You will read a range of relevant personal communication, public information and factual and literary texts. Some questions in English, some in French, with answers requiring words, phrases or often a letter or matching. Section C is translation from French into English.

Writing: One hour 15 minutes.

Three tasks:

• Writing 90 words on a specific topic (you will have a choice between 2)
• Writing 150 words on a specific topic (you will have a choice between 2)
• Translating a passage of 50 words from English to French Your writing will include a range of vocabulary, different tenses, sophisticated grammatical structure, and language of reactions, opinions, and justification.

Please note: the above assessment details refer to examination at Higher Tier. However, individual students, in conversation with teachers and parents, may also consider entry at Foundation Tier if this is considered more appropriate at the time of entry.