What is the course about?
You will learn about all things French: the way of life, culture, the French view on some familiar and some unfamiliar topics eg sport, health, media, the environment. Primarily, you will learn much more of the French language, how it works and how to make it work for you, so that you become a confident communicator in the language. There is also an element of Business French so that you would be able to use French in the world of work.

Which skills/experience would be useful or essential?
As the course builds on knowledge and skills developed at GCSE, we recommend that you have achieved at least a grade B at GCSE French and show an aptitude for/interest in grammar.

You should also have a desire to communicate and be willing to undertake group and pair-work. A good sense of imagination will also help, as will a thirst for knowledge and commitment to hard work.

How will I learn and be assessed?
Learning is initially teacher-centred, but will progress to practical pair or group work and listening tasks, as well as individual written tasks, which are regularly assessed.

What opportunities are available to me?
You will be encouraged to take part in a residential stay in France, where you will have intensive tuition, gain a practical insight into the French way of life and take part in cultural visits. You will have the opportunity to meet weekly on a one-to-one basis with the French Assistant, in order to improve your spoken French. French films, magazines and TV are freely available in the Department for Sixth Form use as well as independent access to the computerised language laboratory.
The course will be an excellent foundation for any university languages course – either on its own or combining it with another subject.
Long term, you will find French useful in all sorts of fields of work: teaching, tourism, marketing and media to name but a few. Studying a language can improve communication and analytical skills for all students.