French
Exam Board: Edexcel
STRUCTURE OF COURSE
This award is a two year A Level qualification,
Component 1
Listening, reading and translation in French
Component 2
Written response to works and translation in French
Component 3
Spoken response in French
ASSESSMENT
COMPONENT 1: LISTENING, READING AND TRANSLATION
Externally assessed. 2hrs, 40% of the qualification.
COMPONENT 2: WRITTEN RESPONSE TO WORKS AND TRANSLATION
Externally assessed. 2 hrs 40, 30% of the qualification.
COMPONENT 3: SPEAKING
Internally conducted and externally assessed; 30% of the qualification. Task 1: discussion on a Theme. Task 2: presentation and discussion on independent research.
CONTENT
Component 1 & 3 – THEMES
- Changes in French society: changes in families, changes in education, changes in the world of work
- Political and artistic scene in French speaking countries : music, media, festivals and traditions
- Immigration and multiculturalism: integration and multiculturalism, the rise of the extreme right
- The Occupation and the Resistance
Component 2 - THEMES
This paper draws on the study of two discrete French works: either two literary texts, or one literary text and one film.
POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS
Britain’s involvement with the European Union, has led to an ever-increasing demand for graduates with practical language skills. A qualification in French is an asset in all professional careers, including Medicine. Linguists are highly regarded for their communication skills and cultural awareness. As a major European language, French is particularly valued in Finance, Law, Marketing, Technology, International Relations, International Business Management and the Pharmaceutical industry.
COMPLIMENTARY SUBJECTS
French combines with, and complements, a wide range of Arts and Science subjects at all academic levels. French also has strong links to Maths, Music, History, Psychology, Philosophy and Theology. Apart from helping you acquire a useful skill and an understanding of another culture, the study of languages is intellectually stimulating and personally enriching.
Remember you do not have to study just French. For those of you who want to major in another subject; you might want to think about adding French to that degree, for example Law with French or Chemistry with French for Science.