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French

French is a wonderful language and is spoken across the globe. Learning French at A Level not only gives students precise and advanced linguistic and communication skills but also insight and in-depth understanding of an incredible culture.

A Level French students study a range of social, artistic, cultural and political topics over two years including the changing nature of families in French society, the digital world, history, heritage and tradition, Francophone music, French cinema, politics in France and political engagement, crime and punishment and the current issues around immigration and integration in French society.

We also study in detail a piece of literature and a film: currently we are studying L’Étranger by Albert Camus and the film Au Revoir Les Enfants by Louis Malle.

Students will develop high-level reading, listening, writing, speaking and translation skills and in Year 13 undertake an Individual Research Project on a topic of their choice which they research and present as part of the speaking exam.

We hope that students will be able to visit a French-speaking area as part of an exchange or a trip and we will also take part in collaborative work with our linked partner schools in French-speaking countries.

“My experiences of A Level French were all positive. The course covers a wide range of interesting topics that got me thinking about issues I wouldn’t normally have considered.”

Next Steps

Language students will find that almost any path of study or career is open to them. Learning a language at A Level not only makes you an excellent communicator but also makes the learning of new languages easier. Many students go on to study French as part of a degree, but a number also use their linguistic knowledge and confidence to start a completely new language at university.

Others go onto study law, politics, business, humanities, social sciences, architecture, medicine or sciences both in the UK and abroad. Many also go onto apprenticeships or straight into employment as their language qualification gives them excellent communication skills which benefit the workplace in countless ways.

Opportunities to study and work abroad are plentiful and there are often bursaries and funds specifically available for language students. The UK needs skilled linguists now more than ever!