Pearson Edexcel A-Level French – 9FR0
Course leader: Melissa Amrar – melissaamrar@kba.uk
WHAT WILL I NEED BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE?
Entry requirements
Minimum Grade 6 at GCSE French.
Students should achieve a minimum of Grade 6 in GCSE French, demonstrating a strong foundation in the language and an enthusiasm for developing their communication skills further.
WHAT WILL I DO?
The French A-level immerses students in the language, culture and ideas that shape France and the wider French-speaking world.
Students explore themes such as changing family structures, education, investigating politics and immigration. Students will develop a deeper understanding of contemporary French life, whilst studying French culture through a film and literary text.
Students will continue to build on their reading, writing and listening skills and will build confidence in speaking the language fluently through debate and analysing authentic sources in a research project on a topic that inspires them.
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
A-Level French is ideal for students who enjoy languages, communicating with others and exploring different cultures and societies. You should be enthusiastic about developing your fluency, expressing opinions, debating current issues and understanding the French-speaking world.
The course suits students who enjoy reading, listening, discussing ideas and developing their confidence in both spoken and written French.
COURSE CONTENT AND COMPONENTS
Students study four main themes, alongside a literary work and a film. These themes explore the changing nature of society in France and the wider French-speaking world.
Theme 1: L’évolution de la société française (The evolution of French society)
- Changes in family structures, marriage and relationships.
- The French education system.
- The world of work, equality and working conditions.
Theme 2: La culture politique et artistique dans le monde francophone (Political and artistic culture in the French-speaking world)
- Music and changing musical trends.
- The media, including television, newspapers and the internet.
- Festivals, celebrations, customs and traditions across French-speaking countries.
Theme 3: L’immigration et la société multiculturelle française (Immigration and multicultural French society)
- The positive contributions of immigration to the economy and culture.
- Challenges surrounding integration, marginalisation and discrimination.
- The rise of the far right in France.
Theme 4: L’Occupation et la Résistance (The Occupation and the Resistance)
- France under German occupation during the Second World War.
- The Vichy regime, collaboration and persecution.
- The role of the French Resistance in the struggle for liberation.
Literary text and film
Students study one literary text and one film from the French-speaking world. They explore themes, characters, ideas and cultural contexts, developing their ability to analyse and discuss works in French.
Grammar and language development
Throughout the course, students build on their GCSE knowledge to communicate with greater accuracy, fluency and sophistication. They study a wide range of tenses, including present, past, future and conditional forms, alongside the subjunctive mood.
They also develop their understanding of pronouns, adjective agreements, complex sentence structures, relative clauses, passive constructions, reported speech, infinitives and idiomatic expressions. Particular emphasis is placed on accurate verb conjugation, word order, negation and conjunctions to develop extended arguments.
Independent Research Project (IRP)
The Independent Research Project gives students the opportunity to explore a topic related to French-speaking culture or society that genuinely interests them.
Students develop their own research question, investigate it using authentic sources, including written sources in French, and form their own conclusions. During their speaking examination, they present their findings and take part in a discussion with their examiner, demonstrating their knowledge, analytical skills and ability to express and justify opinions spontaneously in French.
ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK
The A-Level is assessed through three examination components:
- Paper 1 – Listening, Reading and Translation into English: 2-hour written examination – 40%.
- Paper 2 – Written Response to Works and Translation into French: 2-hour 40-minute written examination – 30%.
- Paper 3 – Speaking: 21–23-minute speaking examination, including preparation time – 30%.
The speaking examination includes discussion of a theme and the presentation and discussion of the Independent Research Project.
PROGRESSION – WHAT CAN I DO AT THE END OF THE COURSE?
Studying A-Level French opens up a wide range of opportunities at university and in the world of work.
You could continue studying French or combine it with subjects such as:
- Business
- Law
- Politics
- History
- International Relations
- Modern Languages
- Translation and Interpreting
French is a valuable skill in careers including translation, interpreting, teaching, journalism, tourism, hospitality and international business.
As French is spoken across Europe, Africa and many other parts of the world, it can also open doors to working abroad, travelling and collaborating with people from different cultures.
Alongside developing your language skills, you will gain confidence, cultural awareness, communication and analytical skills that are highly valued by universities and employers across many industries.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Grade 6 at GCSE French.