« C’est une belle langue à qui sait la défendre. Elle offre des trésors de richesses infinies. On dirait que le vent s’est pris dans une harpe et qu’il a composé toute une symphonie »

French: Facts and Figures 200 million speakers 2 nd most learned language Official language of 32 states Spoken in 50 countries over 5 continents French speaking Africa is bigger than the USA 3 rd most used language on the Internet

So, why learn French? 5 th largest GDP (France) UN, EU and Red Cross Olympics “Facilitating Subject” (Russell Group) i.e. on which increases students’ chances of gaining a place on the most competitive courses

From GCSE to AS At GCSE, French is all about ‘me’ : my life, my family, my hobbies, my ambitions… At AS you study the focus is ‘me and society’ : how everyday life and decisions affect me – still using familiar topics

From AS to A2 A2 is about ‘The Wider Society’ at looks at bigger issues affecting the world today Your control of grammar will grow. No more moving parts of grids around but instead using language you want to use in order to say what you want to say

The Course – AQA French AS Level Unit 1 Listening, Reading and Writing 2 hours exam 70% of AS (35% of A2) Unit 2 Speaking 15 minute exam 30% of AS (15% of A2) A2 Level Unit 3 Listening, Reading and Writing 2 ½ hours exam 35% of A2 Unit 4 Speaking 15 minute exam 15% of A2

AS Level Topics: Media (TV, advertising, Internet) Popular Culture (music, film, fashion), Healthy Living (sport, health, holidays) and Family and Relationships (family, friendship, marriage) Exam: Listening and reading comprehensions, grammar exercise, essay on a sub-topic of the above Oral: Stimulus card, general discussion on various sub-topics

A2 Level General Topics: Environment, The Multi-Cultural Society, Contemporary Social Issues Cultural Topics ( ) Film - Entre Les Murs Historical Period – La France sous l’Occupation Exam: Listening and reading comprehensions, translation exercise, essay on one of the cultural topics Oral: Discussion of general topics (argument), discussion of both cultural topics

Grade Boundaires UMS out of 400 (200 at AS) A 340/400(160/200) B240/400(140/200) C200/400(120/200) A* grade requires 180/200 in the A2 units

Our Results A2 Results: 2013 – 83% A*, 100% A* - B 2012 – 100 A, 100% A – B, AS Results 2013 – 75% A to B 2012 – 73% A to B In the last 2 years, we have sent 4 students to study French at Oxbridge colleges

Teaching at AS and A2 8 periods a week 4 teachers (VCS, REM, AXS, TJD) Plus 1 period a week conversation lesson Paired at AS / at A2 1 timetabled DLL slot a fortnight (often more) Revision Day

Resources Elan 1 and Elan 2 course book Kerboodle online learning platform ‘In-house’ and online native speaker resources Magazines, books and DVDs

Outside the Classroom Nice study trip Trips to Institut Français Film workshop at BFI Guest speakers and seminars Senior French Society Student led initiatives

An Ideal Student… ENTHUSIASTIC! Participates fully in lessons Makes the most of conversation lessons Independent – learning vocab, practising grammar Goes beyond the classroom – websites, newspapers, TV, DVDs, magazines Gets involved in all the department has to offer – trips, visits, French Society…

Beyond AS and A2 Most students follow on some aspect of their language learning into Higher Education Language courses Joint honours courses Years abroad, Erasmus exchanges, semester overseas…

Graduate Unemployment Rates Medicine etc.0.44% Education3.31% Law3.76% French, Spanish & German 4.14% English6.57% Business / Administration6.76% Biological Sciences 6.81% Physical Sciences6.96% Engineering / Technology7.56% Computing8.36% Media Studies9.76%

Language Graduate Destinations Business Services26.9% Banking / Finance 13.1% Wholesale / Retail11.8% Manufacturing10.1% Public Administration 7.9% Community / Social Services 7.7% Education 6.5% Transport / Communications 5.7% Hotels & Restaurants 3.7% Other Areas 2.7%

Don’t just take our word for it….