Course content

Year 1 

Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends

• The changing nature of family (La famille en voie de changement)
• The ‘cyber-society’ (La « cyber-société »)
• The place of voluntary work (Le rôle du bénévolat)

Artistic culture in the French-speaking world

• A culture proud of its heritage (Une culture fière de son patrimoine)
• Contemporary francophone music (La musique francophone contemporaine)
• Cinema: the 7th art form (Cinéma : le septième art)

One cultural topic:

• The study of a feature film

Year 2

Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues

• Positive features of a diverse society (Les aspects positifs d’une société diverse)
• Life for the marginalised (Quelle vie pour les marginalisés ? )
• How criminals are treated (Comment on traite les criminels)

Aspects of Political life in the French-speaking world

• Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment (Les ados, le droit de vote et l’engagement politique)
• Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power? (manifestations, grèves – à qui le pouvoir ? )
• Politics and immigration (La politique et l’immigration)

One cultural topic:

• The study of one literary work

Individual oral research project:

Students will prepare a subject or a key question which is of interest to them and which relates to a country or countries where French is spoken.

Assessment

All assessment will be at the end of the second year:

Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing (50% of the qualification)

Paper 2: Writing (20% of the qualification)

Paper 3: Speaking (30% of the qualification)

Is it for me?

You will enjoy and benefit from French if you:

• have shown an aptitude for languages at GCSE or in previous studies;
• are interested in how languages work;
• are confident about expressing your views, both orally and on paper;
• are interested in current affairs and future issues, both within Europe and the wider world.

Special features

• Weekly contact with a foreign language assistant
• Courses taught mainly in the target language
• Provision for bilingual students
• Very well resourced and equipped department
• Enthusiastic and supportive specialist teachers

There are opportunities for excellent work experience opportunities abroad.  Students can also take part in revision courses in France. In addition, we provide Gap Year advice about working abroad. There are also theatre and cinema visits.

Entry requirements

At least 7 Grade 4s at GCSE in a range of subjects including Maths and English   At least a Grade 6 or equivalent is required in French at GCSE level.

Examination board: AQA