French KS5

Mountain Ash Comprehensive, with other schools in the Cynon Valley Consortium, offer A level French, with pupils sitting an AS in year 12 and A2 in year 13. Pupils follow the WJEC specification, which can be viewed at: (http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=57&level=21).

For the AS exam, pupils study two topics: ‘Leisure and Lifestyles’ and ‘The Individual and Society’. Pupils have discrete grammar lessons and an oral lesson each week, with the Foreign Language Assistant, in both years 12 and 13. At AS pupils sit two exams: an oral exam and a listening, reading and writing paper. The oral exam is 15 minutes long and consists of a topic-based conversation and a general conversation. For the former they are given a verbal or visual stimulus to discuss. For the latter they are expected to discuss their personal interests, their studies and their future plans. The listening, reading and writing exam is 2 ½ hours long. Pupils write one essay in French of 200-250 words, read 2 or 3 passages in French and complete comprehension tasks and listen to 1 or 2 items and answer questions.

At A2 there are also two exams: an oral of 20 minutes and a 3-hour long listening, reading and writing paper. The oral exam starts with a structured discussion based on a short written stimulus. This is linked to one of the A2 topic areas, which are ‘Environmental Issues’ and ‘Social and Political Issues’. Pupils then give an oral exposé on a book, film or region of France they have studied. This is conducted by a visiting examiner.

The listening, reading and writing exam is similar to the AS exam, except there is a short translation from English to French and the essay is about a book, film or region of France, which must be different from the one discussed in the oral.

Pupils are assessed on a regular basis on all aspects of the course. There is no coursework for the A level exam.

Parents can best support their children by encouraging them to read a quality newspaper, or to watch a national news bulletin every day. Many of the texts require a general knowledge of current affairs. For example, an understanding of immigration issues in Britain will make it easier to comprehend the situation in France.