1. French
Part 1 :  Download the A Level French Specification from the AQA website
Go to download the new A Level French specification.
Print a copy of the specification and take the time to read it carefully so that you know what to expect from your A Level French course.
Part 2 :  Making Notes
Below is an extract taken from the specification, it outlines what you will need to do for the essay question part of your exam. These essays will be based on the film and book that you will study during the A Level French course.
4.5 Paper 2: Writing
Duration: 2 hours; total raw mark: 80
Students will answer an essay question in French for each of the two works they have studied ( a book and a film). Students will have a choice of question on each book/film. All questions will be in French and will require a critical and analytical response. Students will be advised to write approximately 300 words per essay. Everything that students write will be marked; there is no word limit. Students who write the recommended number of words will have access to the full range of marks.
You will study a French film during Year 12 and the film that you will be studying is called “Entre les murs” by the French director Lauren Cantet.
In order to prepare for your French course you will need to watch this film and make notes in English on the following points:
What are the main themes presented in the film?
Which character do you feel you can identify with most? Why?
How are young people of immigrant backgrounds portrayed in this film?
Any other points of interest to you.
The film is available for purchase on Amazon for around £5 (French with English subtitles) plus postage.

2. French
Exam Question
Below is an example essay question on the topic of “Entre les murs”.
Write a response in English to this question using the bullet points to guide you.
Aim to write between 300 and 400 words.
Laurent Cantet : “Entre les murs”
Dans quelle mesure est-ce qu’on peut considérer “Entre les murs” comme un documentaire plutôt qu’un film de fiction ?
Possible content:
Candidates will primarily need to analyse how the film is constructed -
Entre les murs is filmed in a documentary style.
Camera never leaves the school.
The school is a real school.
The actors are untrained.
Real teachers and students.
Improvised situations and dialogue.
Focus on realistic and typical school events.
Unglamourised.
Natural lighting.
Natural sound effects.
Use of hand held cameras.
Objective camera.
We get the sense that the scenes are typical of a school year.
Language is natural and unrehearsed – sometimes raw and crude.
Characters wear ordinary clothing.
Make-up is used minimally.
Remember to give examples from the film to support and justify the points that you make.