| Overview | This is an exciting programme of study that leads to a good level of competence in spoken French. Students work with authentic materials and broaden their cultural, political and social understanding of France through the study of cinema, literature and news reports. Students undertake work experience in France through Acorn Exchanges. |
| Examination board | The sixth form ¬French course at Queen Elizabeth’s follows the Edexcel specification. Full details of the specification and additional support materials can be accessed here. |
Unit 1 - Spoken Expression & Response in French Examination to be taken in April or May of Year 12 | This is a spoken examination. The first part of the examination will be on a topic they have prepared in advance and the second part of the test will move away from the prepared area. |
Unit 2 - Understanding & Written Response in French Examination to be taken in June of Year 12 | This is a listening examination and a written examination. Students will be expected to answer questions from a recording but also to write an essay to show that they can manipulate the French language. |
Unit 3 - Understanding & Spoken Response in French Examination to be taken towards the end of Year 13 | This is a spoken test. Students will be expected to take a clear stance on their chosen issue. They will also be expected to cope with moving away from this issue and discussing related topics. |
Unit 4 - Research, Understanding & Written Response in French Examination to be taken in June of Year 13 | This unit expects students to translate from English to French and also to write an essay on a researched work on a topic or literary work. |
| Course support & enrichment at QE | At QE, the French department supports the teaching of unit 1 and 3 through appointments with the Assistante. There is specific support for Unit 4 through a structured taught series of lessons. The course is structured so that each lesson is devoted to the specific needs of individual units. We are well resourced to support learning and we are members of the Institut français which helps with research for all units. Students can use the language laboratory at lunchtimes for extra listening support and there is an exciting library of DVDs which students borrow at weekends to supplement their cultural awareness and understanding of spoken French. There is a bimonthly magazine that students are encouraged to purchase which supports their learning in all four skills. This is called Essentiel for AS and Authentik for A2. There is an opportunity to travel to France in a group and undertake work experience through the Acorn Exchanges organisation. Most students take up this opportunity and have enjoyed working in museums, shops and radio stations for example. The Head of Department runs the European Youth Parliament Debating team which enters the Regional competition at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in March. A level French candidates who like debating are very welcome because one of the floor debates is in French and the standard amongst students from the south-east schools is very high. Our team from 2007 were selected at the FCO to go on to the national finals and then again selected to represent the UK at an international session in Istanbul in April 2008. Students will see the benefit of keeping their French at this event. |
| Progression from A-level French | More and more employers are demanding language skills and there are more opportunities for all careers including law, business and medicine if enhanced by a European Language in addition to English. This is thanks to the opening up of European boundaries. Please see the following websites for more information: |
Recommended wider reading This is particularly relevant for those considering further study beyond A-level | - Please take a look at the above mentioned websites for information regarding careers using languages and how learning French will improve your career prospects.
- It is a good idea to own a Collins Verb Tables which is a pocket sized fountain of knowledge.
- A large dictionary is essential for completing homework.
- A good grammar book is provided by QE but if you can read through it in advance then you will be at a big advantage. It is called Schaum’s Outline of French Grammar.
- It is a good idea to read some French literature if you are considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge. The following novels are very readable and significant works which you can talk about in interview: L’Etranger by Camus, La Symphonie Pastorale by Gide, Tartuffe by Molière or L’Avare by Molière
- It is a good idea to read the French press regularly and there are magazines in the department which are lent to students. A good newspaper is Le Monde.
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