Why Study?
Languages are everywhere, be it on holiday, at work or on a daily basis. This course inspires students who have an appreciation of the language and culture of the French-speaking world. French A-level covers a wide range of interesting topics (such as music, technology, arts, politics, French history), which are relevant to the world we live in. You will gain an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of the French language, literature, film and culture of France and other francophone countries. The skills you acquire will prepare you for further education and enhance your employability.
You will develop your love of the French language, while being able to communicate effectively, confidently and clearly.
Choosing A-level French will open many doors, offer you a range of career possibilities and enable you to have fun en route.
What can I do with it?
Knowledge of a modern foreign language to A-level is a valuable asset to further your education or enhance your employability. At university French can be studied in combination with another language or almost any other subject. This knowledge is a much sought-after skill in the current job market, giving you access to a wide range of career options such as interpreting, translation, teaching, marketing, journalism, media, sport, tourism, banking, law, exports, fashion, engineering, business – careers within UK or international companies can give you many opportunities to travel and work both in the UK and around the world – almost anything, almost anywhere! Studying languages gives you all the skills employers look for: fantastic communication skills, an analytical mind, team work, superb cultural awareness, great memory capacity. Speaking another language makes you highly valuable to any company that does international business and can increase your salary by 20%.
Subject combinations
French combines well with almost any other subject – from the Sciences to English, History to Geography, Film Studies to Economics.
Extras
A range of soirées françaises takes place every term for you to communicate and have fun with your classmates. These include cinema and theatre visits, and eatingout. You could also support younger learners of French, as a French language assistant, if you wish.
A visit to France during the course will, of course, enable you to put all your language skills into practice.
What will I study?
You will study 4 themes:
- Changes in French society (how the family unit/marriage is changing, education system, world of work, equality between men and women)
- Political + artistic culture in francophone countries (francophone music, media and freedom of speech, festivals and traditions)
- Immigration + multicultural French society (challenges and benefits of immigration in France, the National Front and extreme right)
- The Occupation + Resistance during WW2 (France during the Occupation, the Vichy regime, the Resistance)
You will also study literature: the novel Un sac de billes by Joseph Joffo and the film Chocolat directed by Clare Denis.
The A-level exam consists of 3 papers:
- Listening, reading and translation (into English): 80 marks, 2 hours, 40%
- Written response to literature and translation (into French): 120 marks, 2 hours 40, 30%
- Speaking (including research project): 72 marks, 21-23 minutes, 30%
