Why study French?

Languages are all around us; they are used in so many situations whether at work, on holiday or just casually in day-to-day life. We live in a multilingual global society.

The aim of the A Level modern language course is to help you to develop an interest in speaking a foreign language, to gain awareness of the need to speak foreign languages, to appreciate the nature and diversity of different cultures and people and to acquire knowledge, skills and understanding for practical use, further study, and employment.

Choosing an A-Level language is a smart move if you want a fascinating subject that offers you a range of career possibilities at the end and is a lot of fun along the way. You already know how essential languages are for integrating in a culture and getting the most out of your experience; you'll get more of a taste of life in a different country. Languages can take you to some wonderful places and give you many brilliant opportunities. French could take you to Africa, Canada, Switzerland . . .

What does the course involve?

A-Level languages build upon your existing knowledge gained at GCSE, giving you a sound understanding of using your language in a variety of contexts and situations - at home, abroad, with friends or in the workplace.

At A Level French, you will study current trends and issues (for example new technologies) in French-speaking society, as well as political and artistic culture (including a film and a book) in the French-speaking world.

In Year 13 you will complete an individual research project. With around nine hours of class time a fortnight dedicated to learning your language, you will rapidly make noticeable improvements not only in your speaking and writing ability but also in your understanding and use of grammar and more advanced vocabulary. You will also have an individual weekly speaking session with a French native speaker.

How will I be assessed?

This is a two-year linear course, assessed by examination at the end of Year 13:

• Paper 1: Listening, reading, writing and translation into and out of French (2 hours 30 mins), 100 marks, 50% of course
• Paper 2: Writing (2 hours) 80 marks. 20% of course
• Paper 3: Speaking (23 mins), 60 marks, 30% of course.

However, we will also offer a one year, ie AS option for students who wish to take the course as one of four subjects in Year 12. For information about this, please contact the MFL department.

Leading to a career in?

Studying languages teaches you all the skills that employers look for: an analytical mind; good thought process; amazing memory capacity; fantastic cultural and intercultural awareness; good communication; great team player to name just a few. Languages are an invaluable skill to have and having a language can increase your salary by as much as 20% and gives you a head start on other potential employees. Speaking another language means you are vital to any company that does international business. You may need languages for all sorts of career destinations, not just the obvious ones of teaching, interpreting and translating: doctors, psychologists and physiotherapists need language skills to communicate effectively with patients whether they work in the UK or overseas; businesspeople, bankers and entrepreneurs all need language skills to make deals and sell products on the global market; politicians, historians, geographers and holiday reps all need language skills to get to know the people and area that they are passionate about.