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FRENCH
EXAMINATION BOARD
:
Edexcel
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:
•
develop their ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers in speech and
writing, conveying what they want to say with increasing accuracy
•
express and develop thoughts and ideas spontaneously and fluently
•
listen to and understand clearly articulated, standard speech at near normal speed
•
deepen their knowledge about how language works and enrich their vocabulary in order for them to
increase their independent use and understanding of extended language in a wide range of contexts
•
acquire new knowledge, skills and ways of thinking through the ability to understand and respond to
a rich range of authentic spoken and written material, adapted and abridged, as appropriate, including
literary texts
•
develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the countries and communities
where the language is spoken
•
be encouraged to make appropriate links to other areas of the curriculum to enable bilingual and deeper
learning, where the language may become a medium for constructing and applying knowledge
•
develop language-learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare them for further language study
and use in school, higher education or employment
•
develop language strategies, including repair strategies
Questions across all four language skills are set in common contexts, addressing a range of relevant
contemporary and cultural themes. They are organised into five themes, each broken down into topics and
sub-topics. The five themes are:
•
Identity and culture
•
Local area, holiday, travel
•
School
•
Future aspirations, study and work
•
International and global dimension
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
The Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in French consists of four externally examined papers
based on the following skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students must complete their speaking
assessment in April/May and all other assessments in May/June in any single year. Each paper is available at
Foundation tier or Higher tier. Students must be entered for a single tier across all papers.
ENTRY INFORMATION
Assuming maximum individual attainment in all four skills, students can obtain:
5 to 1 at entry for Listening and Reading at Foundation Tier
9 to 4 at entry for Listening and Reading with both skills at Higher Tier
CAREERS
We live in a world where careers are increasingly international and companies have global activities for which
the ability to speak another language is a necessary and important skill. French is a major world language
and is useful in many careers such as: diplomacy, banking, ICT, journalism, medicine, science, travel and
tourism, marketing, music, art, theatre, film, engineering, transport, aviation, hotel management, catering,
teaching, sales, sports and leisure. French is widely recognised as a language which is challenging to learn
and involves considerable academic effort; a qualification in French is therefore often valuable to enhance
opportunities for entrance to the best universities.
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