French

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Entry Requirements

Normal BSFC entry requirements for an AS programme of study including a Grade B in GCSE French. 

About the Subject

Learning a language is a great way of improving your opportunities in life. You will have more confidence, and having a language will enable you to get a job more easily as companies value employees with language skills. It will also encourage you to travel and experience other cultures, the best learning experience of all.

Learning a language is enjoyable! Acquiring the structures and vocabulary enables you to develop fluency, and to be able to express your ideas and opinions. You will find yourself sharing ideas and discussing issues in your target language. You will become more observant, perceptive and critical while learning the structures and tenses that are special to your language.

Finally learning a language enhances many skills, including ommunication, ICT, working with others, improving your own learning performance and awareness of other cultures. Languages combine well with almost any other subject.

The courses available in college is AS/A2 French (WJEC)

AS Year

Assessment
Unit		 Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of
Exam		 Weighting
in AS		 Weighting in
A2
FN1 Oral Oral exam
(12-15 mins.)		 April/May 40% 20%
FN2 Listening
Reading and
Writing		 Listening, reading
and writing exam
(2 ½ hrs)		 May/June 60% 30%

A2 Year

Assessment
Unit		 Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of
Exam		 Weighting in
A2
FN3 Oral Oral exam
(15-20 mins.)		 April/May 20%
FN4 Listening,
Reading and
Writing		 Listening, reading
and writing exam
(3 hrs)		 May/June 30%

General Information

The oral module at AS

Students take part in a topic-based conversation led by the examiner to show their ability to communicate, their accuracy, their range of language and their pronunciation. Students also talk about their interests, studies and future plans in a general conversation.

Listening Reading and Writing at AS

For listening students respond to one or two authentic recordings of interviews and conversations and answer questions about them. Reading involves the comprehension of texts from magazines, adverts and newspapers. A range of tasks is given, including a grammar exercise. Students also write a short essay in the target
language.

The oral module at A2

Students discuss a short text linked to a topic, and answer questions about it. They also do a presentation on a topic of personal interest, and discuss it.

Listening, reading and Writing at A2

For listening, students answer questions in English on items of live recorded material. They show their understanding of written French in interviews or stories and respond to questions. They translate a short passage into their target language. Students also write an essay based on a film, book or region they have studied. 

What Next?

With a language qualification you can go into a variety of jobs including finance, retail, banking, business, teaching, website design, and tourism. Salary scales are 10-20% higher for language graduates and unemployment rates are significantly lower.

Spending a year abroad, which is an option on most language courses at university, helps 70% of language graduates to get their first job.

The year abroad is recognised to give real maturity, independence and experience of the wider world