French A Level
Qualification
AS & A2
Results
A* - C grade: 81.8%
Awarding Body
WJEC
French A Level Overview
French at AS Level curriculum covers two main themes: “Being a young person in French-speaking society,” which examines youth trends, family structures, relationships, and opportunities, and theme 2: “Understanding the French-speaking world,” focuses on regional culture through literature, art, film, and music.
In the second year, the French A Level curriculum introduces two more themes “Diversity and difference,” addressing migration and cultural identity, and “France 1940-1950: The Occupation and the post-war years,” exploring the effects of World War II on France.
AS students will study a prescribed film, while A2 learners will engage with a specific book. Additional activities include exchanges, trips to France, and cultural events for a deeper understanding of the language and culture.
Studying a modern foreign language is valuable for various careers and degree courses, including law, medical fields, business, journalism, and tourism.
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).