FRENCH / GERMAN
  		 

Edexcel, French specification 8440 'AS'
                                               9440 'A2'
             German specification 8480 'AS'
                                               9480 'A2'

Course Outline
The main aim of the 'A' Level foreign language course is to build on the skills acquired at G.C.S.E., so that, at the end of two years, students should have reached a high level of communication skills and linguistic competence in the target language.

'AS' Assessment
Unit Code  Title/Description Method of Assessment Distribution of Marks
1 6441 French
6481 German		 Listening and Writing Externally Assessed Written Examination (1hr)

30%

‘AS’

15%

‘A’ Level
2 6442 French
6482 German		 Reading and writing Externally Assessed Written Examination (2 hrs)

40%

‘AS’

20%

‘A’ Level
3 6441 French
6481 German

Prepared oral topic

 Externally Assessed Written Examination (10 - 12 mins)

30%

‘AS’

15%

‘A’ Level

'A2' Assessment
Unit Code  Title/Description Method of Assessment Distribution of Marks
4 6444 French
6484 German		 Oral discussion of issues Externally Assessed Practical Examination (15 mins) 15%
5 6445 French
6485 German		 Coursework Internally Assessed Coursework 15%
6 6446 French
6486 German		 a) Listening and Writing
b) Reading and Writing
c) Writing in registers		 Externally Assessed Written Examinations 
a) 45 mins
b) 45 mins
c) 1 ¼ hrs		 20%



Students will develop the linguistic resources to function effectively as non-specialists in these areas. Apart from the main course material, students will be able to avail themselves of French magazines and newspapers, news broadcasts, films, CD-Rom and the Internet.

Study of a foreign language at 'A' Level not only involves a widening scope for linguistic activity but also a deepening of the levels of structural and technical awareness of the language. To those ends a detailed study and acquisition of grammar and vocabulary are an important part of the course. Students should also be fully aware of the need to rise to the intellectual challenge of discussing the topic areas outlined above.

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.

The following contemporary topic areas will be studied in the language and form the basis of the course:

Units 1 - 3 'AS'

· Food, Diet and Health
· Relationship, Family, The
  Generations, Youth Concerns
· Education, Training and
  Employment

· Transport, Travel and Tourism
· Social Issues, Law, Justice
· Business and Industry

· Current Affairs and
  Media
· Leisure and the Arts
· Information
  Technology

Units 4 - 6 'A2'                                                                       

· Energy, Pollution and the
  Environment
· Customs, Traditions, Beliefs
  and  Religions

· Politics and Citizenship
· The European Union

· Campaigning
· Organisations and
  Charities
· Worldwide Problems