A-Level French - Outline of the AQA A-level course PAPER 1 LISTENING, READING AND WRITINGPa per 1: Listening, reading and writing What is assessed? Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends Artistic culture in the French-speaking world Aspects of political life in the French-speaking world Grammar How is it assessed? Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes 100 marks 50 % of A-level. Questions: Listening and responding to spoken passages from a range of contexts and sources covering different registers and adapted as necessary. Material will include complex factual and abstract content and questions will target main points, gist and detail. Studio recordings will be used and students will have individual control of the recording. All questions are in French, to be answered with non-verbal responses or in French (30 marks). Reading and responding to a variety of texts written for different purposes, drawn from a range of authentic sources and adapted as necessary. Material will include complex factual and abstract content and questions will target main points, gist and detail. All questions are in French, to be answered with non-verbal responses or in French (50 marks) Translation into English; a passage of minimum 100 words (10 marks). Translation into French; a passage of minimum 100 words (10 marks). No access to a dictionary during the assessment PAPER 2 WRITING 1: Listening, reading and writing What is assessed? One text and one film from the specification lists or two texts. How is it assessed? Written exam 2 hours 80 marks in total and 20% of the A-level. Questions: One question in French on a set text from a choice of two questions and one question in French from a set of two questions or 2 questions on set texts. No access to texts, films or dictionaries. Students are advised to read about 300 words per essay.
PAPER 3 SPEAKING 1: Listening, reading and writing What is assessed? Individual research project. One of 4 sub themes ie Aspects of French speaking society: current trends, Aspects of political life in the French speaking world. How is it assessed? Oral exam 21-23 minutes (including 5 minute presentation time) 60 marks in total 30% of A-level. Questions: Discussion of a sub theme based on a stimulus card (5-6 mins) The student studies the card for 5 mins at the start of the test. Presentation (2 minutes) and discussion (9-10 minutes) of individual research project. (35 marks) Tests will be conducted by the class teacher or a visiting examiner. Year 1 of the A-level course. The following topics and sub topics will be covered during Year 1 (Year 12) Theme 1. Aspects of French speaking society : current trends A) Sub- topic La famille en voie de changement. Mr. Mourani La vie de couple: nouvelle tendances Trends in marriage and other forms of partnership Imperfect Monoparentalité Homoparentalité, familles recomposes Merits and problems of different family structures Perfect Grands-parents, parents et enfants: soucis et problèmes Relationships between generations and problems that can arise Past historic
B) Sub- topic. La cyber-société. Mrs Talbot Comment la technologie facilite la vie quotidienne Discuss how technology has transformed everyday life Express opinions Quels dangers la cybersociété pose-t-elle? Discuss the dangers of digital technology Use strategies to broaden range of vocabulary Qui sont les cybernautes? Consider the different users of digital technology and possible future developments. Answer questions in French C) Sub- topic. Le role du bénévolat. Mrs Talbot Qui sont et que font les bénévoles? Le bénévolat: quelle valeur pour ceux qui sont aidés? Examine the voluntary sector in France and the range of work volunteers provide Discuss the benefits of voluntary work for those that are helped and how beneficiaries request help. Connectives Use conditional and si clauses Le bénévolat quelle valeur pour ceux qui aident? Look at the benefits of voluntary work for those that do it and for the society as a whole. Answer questions in French
Theme 2. Artistic culture in the French- speaking world. A) Sub- topic. Une culture fière de son patrimonie. Mr Mourani Le patrimonie sur le plan national, regional et local Understand the notion of heritage and heritage preservation on a regional and national scale. Adjective agreements, comparatives and superlatives Le patrimonie et le tourisme Consider the ways in which some of the country s most famous heritage sites market themselves. Use si sentences (present and future) Comment le patrimonie reflète la culture Comprehend how heritage sites market themselves. Subjunctive B) Sub- topic. La musique francophone contemporaine. Mrs Talbot La diversité de la musique francophone contemporaine Popularity of contemporary music and its diversity of genre and style. Listen for detail Qui écoute et apprécie la musique francophone contemporaine? Consider who listens to music, how often and by what means Justify opinions Comment sauvegarder la musique francophone contemporaine? Consider and discuss the threats to contemporary music and how it might be safeguarded. Express doubt and uncertainty
C) Sub- topic. Le septième art. Mrs Talbot Pourquoi le septième art? Consider a variety of aspects of French cinema. Infinitive constructions Evolution du cinema: les grandes lignes. Consider the major developments in the evolution of French cinema from its beginnings until the present day. Use si sentences. (Pluperfect/ Past conditional) Le cinema: une passion nationale. Consider the continuing popularity of French cinema and film festivals. Use connectives followed by the subjunctive. Year 2 of the A-level course. The following topics and sub topics will be covered during Year 2 (Year 13) Theme 3. Aspects of French speaking society : current issues D) Sub- topic Les aspects positifs d une societé diverse L enrichissement dû à la mixité ethnique Diversité, tolerance et respect Diversité- un apprentissage pour la vie Consider the benefits of living in an ethnically diverse society Consider the need for tolerance and respect of diversity Consider how we can promote diversity to create a richer world. Form and use the present Form and use the future Form and use the conditional
E) Sub- topic. Quelle vie pour les marginalisés? Qui sont les marginalisés? Examine different groups who are socially marginalized Form and use the imperfect Quelle aide pour les marginalisés? Discuss measures to help those who are marginalised Form and use the perfect Quelles attitudes envers les marginalisés? Consider contrasting attitudes to people who are marginalised Form and use the pluperfect. F) Sub- topic: Comment on traite les criminels Quelles attitudes envers la criminalité La prison échec ou succès Examine different attitudes to crime Discuss prison and its merits and problems Recognise and understand the past historic Use different s with si D autres sanctions Consider alternative forms of punishment Use infinitive constructions Theme 4. Aspects of political life in the French speaking world D) Sub- topic. Les ados, le droit de vote et l engagement politique Pour ou contre le droit de vote Discuss arguments relating to the vote and examine the French political system and its evolution Form and use the passive voice Les ados et l engagement politique- motivés ou démotivés? Discuss engagement levels of young people and their influence on politics Keep and use the subjunctive mood. Quel avenir pour la politique? Discuss the future of politics and political engagement Use the Subjunctive mood.
E) Sub- topic. Manifestations, grèves a qui le pouvoir? Le pouvoir des syndicats? Understand the important role of unions Understand and use subject and object pronouns Manifestations et grèves Talk about strikes and protests and consider different methods of protesting. Understand and use relative pronouns. Attitudes différentes envers ces tensions politiques Discuss different attitudes towards strikes, protests and other political tensions Understand and use demonstrative adjectives and pronouns. F) Sub Topic: La politique et l immigration Solutions politique à la question de l immigration Discuss some of the political issues concerning immigration in francophone countries Form and use combination s imperfect and perfect L immigration et les partis politiques Consider the viewpoints of political parties regarding immigration Form and use the future perfect and the conditional perfect. L engagement politique chez les immigrés Consider immigration from the standpoint of immigrants as well as aspects of racism Choose the right s.