French

If you enjoy learning a new language and developing your understanding of other cultures then French may be for you.

As part of the GCSE programme, French is taught building on the foundations laid in Key Stage 3. Achieving proficiency in a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE requires independent study time and dedication with homework and revision, so we expect our students to commit themselves to regular hard work. 

EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL


HOW IS THE COURSE ASSESSED?

French consists of four externally examined papers based on the following skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students must complete their speaking assessment in April/May and all other assessments in May/June in any single year.

COMPONENT UNIT TITLE ASSESSMENT METHOD GCSE WEIGHTING
01 Unit 1: Listening examination Examination 25%
02 Unit 2: Speaking Controlled Assessments Examination 25%
03 Unit 3: Reading examination Examination 25%
04 Unit 4: Writing Controlled Assessments Examination 25%


WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?

There are 8 modules set within 5 themes. These are:

  1. Identity and Culture  
  2. Local area, Holiday and Travel 
  3. School
  4. Future aspirations, Study and Work
  5. International and Global Dimension

Theme: Identity and culture

  • Who am I?: relationships; when I was younger; what my friends and family are like; what makes a good friend; interests; socialising with friends and family; role models
  • Daily life: customs and everyday life; food and drink; shopping; social media and technology (use of, advantages and disadvantages)
  • Cultural life: celebrations and festivals; reading; music; sport; film and television

Theme: Local area, holiday and travel

  • Holidays: preferences; experiences; destinations
  • Travel and tourist transactions: travel and accommodation; asking for help and dealing with problems; directions; eating out; shopping
  • Town, region and country: weather; places to see; things to do

Theme: School

  • What school is like: school types; school day; subjects; rules and pressures; celebrating success
  • School activities: school trips; events and exchanges

Theme: Future aspirations, study and work

  • Using languages beyond the classroom: forming relationships; travel; employment
  • Ambitions: further study; volunteering; training
  • Work: jobs; careers and professions

Theme: International and global dimension

  • Bringing the world together: sports events; music events; campaigns and good causes
  • Environmental issues: being ‘green’; access to natural resources


MORE INFORMATION

If you have any further questions, please speak to Madame Billington.

You can also find more detailed information on the EDEXCEL website.

Pearson Edexcel GCSE French (2016) | Pearson qualifications

CAREERS IN LANGUAGES

Languages are great for a wide variety of careers especially those involving translation or communication with people from non-English speaking countries. This can include careers in tourism, government, politics, media, publishing, and journalism. You can also work in education, fashion or law. Any organisation which works across countries, values employees who can speak more than one language.

Take a look at some of the jobs we've identified below that make use of Languages:

Interpreter

Housing Officer

Border Force Officer

Air Cabin Crew