Upper 6th Form Curriculum

A2 French

Syllabus Followed: Edexcel

In the Upper Sixth year, similar facilities are on offer to those enjoyed during the Lower Sixth but programmes are tailored according to the more advanced needs of Upper Sixth students. The Department is very keen that students make use of the wide range of printed and audiovisual resources in the library and office; these include a good cross-section of French cinema, music and ‘bandes dessinées’.

Students are reminded of the importance of spending a significant portion of time in a French-speaking country and are encouraged to make the most of our link with L’Institution Notre-Dame in Valenciennes. There is also the option of undertaking a homestay work experience in Brussels.

Units taken at A2 are as follows:

Unit 4: Speaking

In this unit, pupils may do the Interpreting Task, which involves acting as a bi-lingual go-between in a conversation between a French speaker and an English speaker. Candidates may opt instead for Discussion of a Topic, this being along the lines on the AS exam but requiring a student to defend a stance on a chosen issue.

Unit 5: Coursework

During the first two terms, under teacher supervision and guidance, pupils produce a 500-word essay and a 1,000-word essay. Pupils have total freedom of subject area, so long as the work centres on a French speaking country, its culture, literature, cinema, sport and so forth.

Unit 6A: Listening and Writing

This unit is similar to Unit 1 at AS-level.

Unit 6B/C: Reading and Writing

This unit is similar at first to Unit 2 at AS-level. However, there is a very short translation into French, based upon stimulus material. Pupils also write an essay (topical or imaginative) or a business-type letter of roughly 250 words in length.

The Department’s staff offers full support after school and at lunchtime. A2 in French is an exciting and profitable experience. We offer a certain number of gap year opportunities in Europe and are able to guide students into their future career or university choices.

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