Examination Board: OCR
Course Content
- To understand and study in greater depth aspects of the contemporary society, cultural background and heritage of one or more of the countries or communities whose language is being studied, demonstrating a high level of critical awareness
- To use the foreign language to analyse, hypothesise, evaluate, argue a case, justify, persuade, rebut, develop arguments and present viewpoints speech and in writing
- To demonstrate their capacity for critical thinking, to see relationships between different aspects of the subject and to perceive their field of study in a broader context
- To understand and apply the grammatical system and a range of structures
The A-Level course develops the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students study the following topics:
AS
- Media
- Advertising
- The Arts
- Daily life
- Food and drink
- Sport and pastimes
- Travel, Transport and Holidays
A2
- Social Issues
- The Environment
- Education
- Law and Order
- Politics
- Technological and Scientific Advances
- Human interest news items
Assessment
All students are assessed with a terminal examination in each of the two units studied:
AS
- Speaking
- Listening, Reading and Writing
A2
- Speaking and Reading
- Listening, Reading and Writing
Specific Requirements
Students are expected to have studied French (or German) at GCSE level, and to have obtained the satisfactory level in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
They are also expected to have completed independent research about the countries where the language learned is spoken, in order to familiarise themselves with past and current developments.
Extra-Curriculum Activities
If they study French, students are expected to have two lessons a week with the Language Assistant who will prepare them for their speaking exam.
Students are expected to attend one-day conferences in order to familiarise themselves with the topics covered and examination skills needed, and to participate in visits to countries where the target language is spoken. The Language Faculty has a range of links and a variety of schools available for the students to do work experience / trips.
Costs
Students must buy a dictionary and study books (KS5 study-guides available from WHSmith).
If studying French, students are expected to pay £10 a lesson with the French Assistant for each of the 2 lessons per week.
Students will participate in the financial costs of conferences and a trip to the country where the target language is spoken once a year.
