Course Outline
The course is designed to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills specified for G.C.S.E., and to promote the skills of reading and writing in the development of linguistic competence in the target language.

Day to day matters

Food, diet and health.
Transport, travel and tourism.

Current affairs and media.

  Society

Relationships, family, the generations and youth concerns.

Social issues, law and justice.

Leisure and the arts. 

  The working world

Education, training and employment.

Business and industry.

Information technology. 

The environment and citizenship

Energy, pollution and environment.

Politics and citizenship.

Campaigning organisations and charities.

The international context

Customs, traditions, beliefs and religions.

World wide problems.

The students will develop the linguistic resources to function effectively as non-specialists in these areas.  The specification is well suited to the adoption of strategies such as resource-based learning, supported by self study, extensive reading programmes and the exploitation of new technology e.g. multimedia systems, e-mail, the internet and satellite television.

To study a foreign language at ‘AS’ and 'A' Level, students are expected to:

• Explore and develop an understanding of the society whose language is being studied.

• Read and respond to a variety of written texts from authentic resources.

• Manipulate the foreign language accurately to organise facts, ideas and present explanations and information in writing.

• Understand and apply the grammatical system and the range of structure of the target language.  

Career Prospects
In career terms, a good working knowledge of a foreign language is increasingly being regarded as a valuable acquisition in many occupations, especially in the commercial world.