A Level French

What is it?

Updated in 2016, this new A level French course will broaden and deepen your knowledge of the French language. It is an exciting chance to develop a wide range of skills through a broad range of specialised and detailed insights into the culture, society and history of both modern France and the wider French-speaking world.

Why study this subject at Blackpool Sixth?

Studying A Level French at Blackpool Sixth will further develop and improve your knowledge of the French language whilst you develop your collaborative and independent learning skills. Innovative teaching methods, with authentic resources, will fully immerse you in the French language and its rich culture. Passionate teaching will ensure an inspiring and engaging experience.

What skills will I develop?

• Grammatical accuracy
• Problem-solving skills
• Memory boosting skills
• Enhanced listening, analytical and evaluative skills
• Enhanced communication skills and confidence in sharing your ideas and opinions
• Understanding of and empathy for others

How will I be taught?

• Using both collaborative and independent learning
• In a supportive learning environment
• Using a wide variety of teaching methods to suit all learning styles

How will I be assessed?

Paper 1: Reading, listening and translation 50%

Paper 2: Writing 20%

Paper 3: Oral 30% (including an Individual Research Project)

Teacher expertise

Your French teacher is French, born and bred! She has studied and worked in France and taught in the UK for the past 20 years. A keen linguist, she approaches her subject in an enthusiastic, empathetic and supportive way. She uses a range of authentic and up-to-date materials such as art, music, articles and films, together with Additional Support Tutorials and regular opportunities for independent research to provide full immersion in the subject.

Field trips, projects and employability opportunities

French students visited a local university last year to gain an insight into studying French beyond A-Level and to take advantage of a day of language based input provided by university lecturers. The AQA A-Level French course includes an Individual Research Project (IRP) which enables students to investigate an area of French /French-speaking culture or history of personal interest to them and to develop their independent study skills.

Learning French can open up a host of UK and international study and employment opportunities. The ability to communicate in a second language and the confidence and communication skills that this brings make language students highly employable.

Where does it lead?

Many students go on to study for a joint or combined honours degree in French either with another foreign language or with subjects such as English, History, Law, Economics or Mathematics. Degree courses often incorporate a year abroad working or studying and additionally some students spend time travelling independently. Others enter employment with training or an apprenticeship on completion of their A-Level study.

Equipment

AQA AS/A2 grammar book £5 (per year), Kerboodle online subscription £15 (per year), The novel “No et moi” costs £10/ You will need to have copies of each of the texts (your tutors will recommend versions throughout the year). Modern Languages Study Guides: No et moi: Literature Study Guide for AS/A-level French (Film and literature guides. We are also on the technology for learning scheme so you will need to have access to a device to enable you to work collaboratively in class and access a range of digital resources.

Examination board

AQA