French
Exam board: AQA
Course code/specification number: 8658
What will students learn about?
Understand and provide information and opinions about these contexts relating to a range of topics relevant to the student and that of other people, including people in countries / communities where French is spoken. Some of these topics include:
- Leisure, free time and the media
- Relationships and choices
- Holidays
- Home and the environment
- Work and education
- School/ college and future plans,
- Current and future jobs.
What skills will students develop and demonstrate?
Students will develop a range of skills including reading, writing and listening skills. Students will also develop:
- an understanding of French in a variety of contexts.
- knowledge of French vocabulary and structures
- transferable language learning skills
- the ability to communicate effec- tively in French
- awareness and understanding of countries and communities where French is spoken.
How will students’ learning be assessed?
GCSE French has a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier. All question papers must be taken in the same series.
- Listening exam: (25% of GCSE)
35 minutes (Foundation Tier), 45 minutes (Higher Tier)
- Speaking Exam: (25% of GCSE)
7–9 minutes (Foundation Tier) + preparation time
The format of the speaking exam is the same as Foundation Tier and High- er Tier, but with different stimulus questions for the Photo card and differ- ent stimulus materials for the Role-play. The timings are different too: Role-play – (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 2 minutes at Higher Tier) -Photo card – (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 3 minutes at Higher Tier) -General conversation – (3–5 minutes at Foundation Tier; 5–7 minutes at Higher Tier)
- Written exam: (25% of GCSE)
45 minutes (Foundation Tier), 1 hour (Higher Tier)
- Reading exam: (25% of GCSE)
1 hour (Foundation Tier), 1 hour 15 minutes (Higher Tier)
What can students’ progress on to after completing this course?
Students could complete an A level in French Translating, interpreting, teaching.
What grades can students access?
Grades 9-1