French

Course summary

The A Level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding, and skills gained at GCSE. It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity, which are valuable to the individual and society. As languages are increasingly sought after in all aspects of business, the content is suitable for students who wish to progress to employment or to further study, including a modern foreign languages degree or combined with various other disciplines. We study the following themes over the course of year 12: Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends - The changing nature of family, the ‘cyber-society’ and the place of voluntary work. Artistic culture in the French-speaking world - A culture proud of its heritage, contemporary francophone music and cinema. Film: La Haine (Mathieu Kassovitz). We study the following themes over the course of year 13: Aspects of French-speaking society: current issues - Positive features of a diverse society, life for the marginalized, how criminals are treated. Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world - Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment, demonstrations, strikes, politics and immigration Novel: ‘Un Sac de Billes’ (Joseph Joffo). Individual Research Project For this project, students must identify a subject or a key question that is of interest to them and which relates to a country or countries where French is spoken. They must select relevant information in French from a range of sources including the Internet. The aim of the project is to develop research skills as well as give the students the freedom to deepen their understanding of a topic that is of personal interest to them. Students will demonstrate their ability to initiate and conduct individual research by analysing and summarising their findings, in order to present and discuss them in the speaking exam at the end of year 13.