French Department
Curriculum
GCSE
We follow the OCR syllabus for our GCSE course. The examination comprises four papers which test the following skills : Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Speaking is tested internally but marked externally. There is no coursework. Further details can be found on the OCR website.
AS/A2
A large number of girls continue French to AS and A2, encouraged, no doubt, by the challenge and by the results obtained, many of which are excellent.
We follow the AQA syllabus for Sixth Form study and, along with all other Examination Boards, these qualifications are currently undergoing modification. The new Specification for AS will consist of two Units which will be examined in June 2009. Girls who continue to A2 will be examined in two further Units in June 2010.
The topics studies for AS Level are Media, Popular Culture, Healthy Living and Lifestyle and Family and Relationships. These topics have been chosen since it is thought that they will be of interest to LVI pupils. Candidates will take two papers at the end of the course, one for Listening, Reading and Writing and one for Speaking.
The topics for A2 are more demanding in content. They are the Environment, The Multicultural Society, Contemporary Social Issues and the study of some of the work of one of France’s great authors or dramatists. Candidates will take two papers at the end of the course, one for Listening, Reading and Writing and one for Speaking.
There is no coursework.
Beyond A Level
In addition to those who continue to study French at University, many students choose to combine their language proficiency with a further skill and use their French to complement their studies of business, the law, technology etc. Prestigious law and accountancy firms are often looking for young professionals with good language skills to staff their offices in Paris, Brussels etc. A recent article in The Times lamented the loss of millions of pounds in exports attributed primarily to the shortage of foreign language speaking staff.
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