Students who study French at Ashbourne will have the chance to discover a world beyond the UK, as France, our nearest neighbour, is our gateway to Europe. Odette, the Head of French, enthusiastically collects and develops original resources and students will be introduced to a wide variety of exciting and topical newspaper and magazine articles, tailored towards their needs and interests. These provide the basis for discussion, listening, reading and writing practice. Students are encouraged to use French as much as possible from the beginning of the course and, that way, develop in confidence and fluency.
Why study French?
French is a romantic and beautiful language and is still widely spoken across the world. The study of languages, particularly French opens up opportunities to study and work abroad. It encourages students to use a different part of their brain, develop confidence and learn to appreciate a culture other than their own. The study of grammar often improves their competence in English. Students who hope to pursue courses and careers overseas may well find they need an A Level in a modern language.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow Edexcel specification French
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called ‘Spoken Expression and Response in French’. Students are required to show their ability to converse on a topic that they have chosen from one of four general topic areas, each of which includes subtopics. They are: Education and employment (education policy & student issues/higher education/ world of work) Lifestyle, health and fitness (sport & exercise/food & diet/ health issues)The world around us (tourism &travel/transport/weather/pollution/recycling) Youth culture and concerns (music &fashion/technology/relationships/drink/drugs/sex).
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called Understanding and Written Response in French’.This unit requires students to understand French and convey their understanding of it. In addition, they have to produce an essay to demonstrate an ability to manipulate French in continuous writing.The unit draws upon the four general topic areas aforementioned.
Unit 3
A2 unit 3 is called ‘Understanding and Spoken Response in French’. Students should undertake research into a completely free choice of issue, which does not need to relate to French culture, society or general topic areas. They will develop language skills that enable them to communicate effectively, accurately and confidently in spoken French.
Unit 4
A2 unit 4 is called ‘Research, Understanding and Written Response French’.This unit requires students to demonstrate advanced skills French. It includes writing, translation from English into French and knowledge of a topic area that links to the culture and society of a French-speaking country. The topic areas are the same as in AS plus three more whichare:Customs, traditions, beliefs and religions.National and international events – past, present and future.Literature and the arts.
How is each unit examined?
Unit 1
Section A: At the exam, students will be given a stimulus connected with their chosen topic area .They will study it for 15 minutes and then, will be asked four Edexcel-set questions on that stimulus, expressing an opinion or a reaction to it.
Section B: The teacher then engages the student in a discussion that, though still relating to the same general topic area and its linked subtopics, moves away from the main focus of the stimulus.
Unit 2
Students sit a two hour 30 minute examination. Section A is a Listening comprehensionStudents will have individual control of a recording of extracts in French and will answer questions, some French, some in English. Section B is readingcomprehension. The questions are linked to a range of exercises including some that require responses in French and some in English. Section C is an essay.
Unit 3
Unit 3 is an oral examination which takes place with the teacher. It is based on the research work students have done for unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 4 is a 2 hour 30 minute examination.
How is the course structured?
Students study for AS during the first year and for A2 during the second year of A level. There is no subdivision in either course into sections or parts of the exam as the whole of each course aims at the same objective which is to express oneself in the foreign language in writing and orally and understand it in writing and orally - via texts, newspapers, recordings and films, connected with the set topic areas.
When do the exams take place?
AS and A2 orals are sat in early May. The written papers will be sat in the May/June examination period. There may be opportunities to resit written papers in January.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Odette Hudson
(License d'Enseignement des Langues Etrangeres(France), DipLanguage (Denmark) French (HoD))
Odette is one of the founding staff of Ashbourne College, having been here since its inception. Odette took her first degree in Language teaching at the University of Clermont-Ferrand in her native France. She continued her educational studies at the University of Copenhagen before coming to the UK, where she found herself settling down. She is a keen gardener and an avid reader (on many topics and in several languages)
Beyond A Level for French Students
French A Level is suitable if not essential for those going on to study Modern Languages or European Studies. It could lead to a combined degree alongside, for example, Business, Management, Law or Linguistics. Languages are important in many careers and walks of life.
Textbooks
AS
Title – Edexcel A Level French (AS)
Author - Clive Bell and Anneli Mclachlan
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edexcel-Level-French-Student-CDROM/dp/0435396102/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275995852&sr=8-1
A2
Title – Edexcel A2 Level French
Author – Anneli Mclachlan
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edexcel-French-Student-CD-ROM-Level/dp/043539620X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275995852&sr=8-3
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