French

Course Aims

Students will learn to listen and respond to a variety of spoken French language sources; read and respond to a variety of French-language written texts; adapt their spoken and written French language appropriately for different situations; use the French language accurately to express facts and ideas and to present explanations, opinions and information in both speech and writing; understand and apply the grammatical system

AS Level Unit / Module Contents

Unit 1 Spoken Expression and Response in French

This unit rewards students for their ability to converse in French on a general topic area that they have chosen in advance. Students will demonstrate that they can engage in a discussion in French that relates to a chosen general topic area. Students will choose one of the following general topic areas:

• Youth Culture and Concerns
• Lifestyle: Health & Fitness
• The World Around Us: Travel, tourism, environmental issues and the French-speaking world
• Education and Employment

Assessment
8-10 minute assessment in two sections:
Section A requires students to respond to four Edexcel-set questions on a stimulus related to the student’s chosen topic area
Section B requires the teacher to engage the student in a discussion that, although still relating to the same general topic area, moves away from the main focus of the stimulus

Unit 2 Understanding and Written Response in French

This unit requires students to understand and convey their understanding of French-language texts and recordings. In addition, students will need to produce an essay to demonstrate an ability to manipulate the French language in continuous writing. Students will be expected to recognise and use the French language in a variety of contexts and in relation to a prescribed range of general topic areas (as above)

Assessment
2 hour 30 minute paper in three sections:
Section A requires students to listen to a range of authentic recorded French-language material and to retrieve and convey information given in the recording by responding to a range of French-language questions
Section B requires students to read authentic French-language printed materials and to retrieve and convey information by responding to a range of mainly French-language test types
Section C requires students to write 200-220 words in the form of a letter, report or article in French based on a short printed French-language stimulus

A2 Level Unit / Module Contents

Unit 3 Understanding and Spoken Response in French

This unit requires students to demonstrate the effectiveness of their French-language skills by presenting and taking a clear stance on any issue of their choice. They will be expected to interact effectively with the teacher, defend their views and sustain discussion as the teacher moves the conversation away from their chosen issue. They will be expected to use the language of debate and argument to discuss the issue and will also be assessed for understanding as well as communication and quality of spoken language

Assessment
11-13 minute assessment

Unit 4 Research, Understanding and Written Response in French

This unit requires students to demonstrate skills in advanced-level French writing (discursive or creative essay) and translation from English into French. The unit also requires students to demonstrate evidence of independent, advanced-level French-language reading and research of a chosen text, play, film or topic area that links to the culture and/or society of a French-speaking country or community. The unit will be linked to the following general topic areas:

• Youth Culture and Concerns
• Lifestyle: Health & Fitness
• The World Around Us: Travel, tourism, environmental issues and the French-speaking world
• Education and Employment
• Customs, traditions, beliefs and religions
• National and international events: past, present and future
• Literature and the arts

Assessment
2 hour 30 minute paper in three sections
Section A A short written translation exercise to test students’ ability to transfer meaning from English into French effectively
Section B A French-language essay in response to one from a choice of seven questions, linked to the prescribed general topic areas, that invite either discursive or creative writing
Section C A research-based essay in French (240-270 words) to reward students for French-language research skills linked to an area of interest to the student that relates to the culture and/or society of a French-language country or community. Students have freedom to determine the content of their research, but it must relate to the four research-based essay topic areas for this unit.