We want students who: have a genuine interest in developing their comprehension and communication skills in a Foreign Language beyond GCSE; students who will be proactive in using media and internet resources to develop their language abilities and who are interested in gaining an understanding of the culture of countries and communities where French / German or Spanish is spoken.

How will students be assessed?                                                                                                                    

A Level Paper 1:  Listening, Reading and Writing (50% of A Level, 2 hours 30 minutes)

Candidates will answer a range of questions based on listening material and on a selection of written stimulus texts about aspects of French/German-speaking society, artistic culture in the French/German/Spanish -speaking world, and aspects of political life in the French/German speaking-society.  Candidates will also complete a translation into English and a translation into French/German.

A Level Paper 2:  Writing (20% of A Level, 2 hours)

Candidates will answer one question in French/German on a set text + one question in French/German/ Spanish on a set film or 2 questions on set texts (approximately 300 words per essay).

A Level Paper 3: Speaking (30% of A Level, 21 - 23 minutes, including preparation time)

Candidates will discuss a sub-theme based on a stimulus card (5 - 6 minutes) and give a presentation with discussion (9 - 10 minutes) on an individual research project.

                                                

What other courses does it complement?                                                                                                   

Due to the current global economic climate, knowledge of a second language such as French or German is no longer a luxury, but desirable.  An A Level in French/German/Spanish complements a wide variety of other A Level subjects such as English, the Sciences and the Humanities.

Next steps - what this course can lead to

Numerous opportunities including Teaching, Interpreting, Translating, and Bilingual Secretarial/PA work.  A qualification in a European language is increasingly seen as a useful, additional qualification in a variety of careers eg, Law, Accountancy, Business Studies and Science.  There are more courses in Further Education which enable you to study a language as an addition to another qualification.

St Benedict’s,

Sixth Form