French - GCSE

What will I study in French?

The Syllabus covers 4 different topics: lifestyle (health, relationships, social issues); leisure (free time, shopping, money, new technology and holidays); home and environment (special occasions, home environment, current problems with the planet); and work and education (school, pressure and problems, current and future jobs).

The Speaking and Writing elements of the course are assessed through controlled assessments at the end of the year. As the course progresses students will be asked to understand and make accurate use of a increasingly wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures so that they are able to give full descriptions, accounts of and opinions about their own and others’ lives.

How will I be assessed at GCSE?

There are 4 components to the full course: Speaking (30%) Writing (30%), Listening (20%), and Reading (20%).

For the Speaking element (2 orals: 4-6 minutes each), students are able to make a number of attempts with the highest scoring two attempts being used toward the final mark.

For the Writing element two essays between 400-600 words will be produced. Students decide on the content of the essays.

The Listening and Reading tasks take place at the end of the year. The listening ‘foundation’ tier lasts 30 minutes and the ‘higher’ tier lasts 40 minutes. The reading ‘foundation’ tier lasts 30 minutes and the ‘higher’ tier lasts 50 minutes.

Who will teach me?

Ghislaine Spain is French and passionate about all aspects of French culture. She has a degree in languages from the Sorbonne and over 20 years experience teaching French, English and Literature. Ghislaine is an oral examiner for all exam boards.

Patricia Theleste holds an Honours Degree in English Literature from l’Université de La Réunion (France) and a PGCE from the University of Leeds. She joined Lansdowne in 2011 and brings with her more than ten years experience in the teaching of languages in Italy and in the UK. Patricia also works as an examiner for the main examination boards, AQA, Edexcel and Cambridge IGCSE.

Which subjects complement French?

Other modern or historical languages, History, Geography and English Literature are all well suited to French. However, languages generally combine well with all A Levels.

Which careers can follow a study of French?

All professions like to have recruits with a language. The nature of the modern world makes languages particularly suited to those working in transnational industries and financial institutions. Lawyers, bankers and a variety of business executives value this qualification.