French
Qualification
AS & A2
Results
A* - C grade: 100%
Awarding Body
WJEC
The following topics will be studied with reference to French as well as in a wider global context as appropriate:
AS Level (year 1)
Theme 1: Being a young person in French-speaking society
- Family structures, traditional and modern values, friendships / relationships
- Youth trends, issues and personal identity
- Educational and employment opportunities
Theme 2: Understanding the French-speaking world
- Regional culture and heritage in France, French-speaking countries and communities
- Literature, art, film and music in the French- speaking world
A Level (year 2)
Theme 3: Diversity and difference
- Migration and integration
- Cultural identity and marginalisation
- Cultural enrichment and celebrating difference
- Discrimination and diversity
Theme 4: France 1940-1950: The Occupation and the post-war years
From June 1940-May 1945 (occupation,liberation and end of World War II)
- Life in Occupied France and the culturaldimension (théâtre, cinéma, littérature)
- 1945-1950: rebuilding and restructuring
- Repercussions for modern day France
As well as the specified topics, AS students will study a film from a prescribed list and A2 students will study a book from a prescribed list.
During the course, pupils may have the opportunity to visit France as part of an exchange or trip, as well as regular visits to French cultural events. Pupils too have the opportunity to take part in Student Ambassador programmes with Routes into Languages and Cardiff University.
Pupils will also have the opportunity to speak French regularly with a native speaker, and learn about French culture.
AS Level (year 1)
Unit 1: Speaking Non-exam assessment
- 12-15 minutes (plus additional 15 minutes preparation time)
- 12% of qualification
- 48 marks
Task 1: Arguing a point of view based on a written stimulus card (5-6 minutes)
Task 2: Discussion based on a second written stimulus card (7-9 minutes)
Learners are not permitted to use dictionaries in any part of the assessment.
Unit 2: Listening, reading, translation and critical response in writing
- Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
- 28% of qualification
- 84 marks
Section A: Listening
Section B: Reading
Section C: Translation – from French into English/Welsh
Section D: Critical response in writing
Learners are not permitted to use dictionaries in any part of the assessment.
A Level (year 2)
Unit 3: Speaking non-exam assessment
- 11-12 minutes
- 18% of qualification
- 72 marks
Independent research project
(a) Presentation of independent research project (2 minutes)
(b) Discussion on the content of the independent research project (9-10 minutes)
Learners are not permitted to use dictionaries in any part of the assessment.
Unit 4: Listening, reading and translation
- written examination
- 1 hour 45 minutes
- 30% of qualification
- 100 marks
Section A: Listening
Section B: Reading
Section C: Translation – from English/Welsh into French
Unit 5: Critical and analytical response in writing (closed-book)
- Written examination
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- 12% of qualification
- 40 marks
One essay question–based on the study of one literary work taken from the prescribed list
Learners are not permitted to use dictionaries or texts in any part of the assessment.
The ability to speak another language is a definite asset. Modern foreign languages are commonly used in the world of commerce, international business, diplomacy, the world of art, financial services, the media, tourism and technology.
A modern foreign language is relevant and useful for a number of degree courses such as: law, medical courses, business studies, marketing, export management, journalism, media studies, education, and tourism.
6 GCSEs A* – C, including a grade B or above in French (higher tier).