MODERN LANGUAGES FRENCH, GERMAN & SPANISH

Assessment: 1. Listening, reading, writing (40% of the whole A Level) You answer a number of questions in the target language, based on several listening and reading passages, as well as a summary and translation into English. You control the listening soundtrack yourself, pausing and repeating as necessary. Assessment method: examination of 2 hours 2. Prose translation & text/film (30% of the whole A Level) You will write 2 essays in the target language on one of the several texts and films you have studied during the course. Assessment method: examination of 2 hours 40 minutes 3. Speaking (30% of A Level) You discuss with your teacher a stimulus card, based on one of the topics in the course not covered in your research project (6 minutes). You will then present and discuss the findings of your research project (2 minutes’ presentation, and 9-10 minutes’ discussion). Assessment method: 5 minutes preparation + 16-18-minute speaking examination ENTRY / APTITUDE REQUIREMENTS • Ideally a grade 7, 8 or above at GCSE (pupils with a grade 6 will be considered on an individual basis, but they often find A Level a bridge too far) • A willingness to discover the countries where the target language is spoken • A desire to debate, where there are no correct answers • A strong desire to speak the language, using any means necessary to get your point across • An interest in current affairs • A keen interest in the grammar and structure of languages • An eye for detail and the ability to spot patterns in words • A retentive memory for vocabulary ADDITIONAL INFORMATION University course admission: An A Level in a modern language is key to studying that language at tertiary level. It also demonstrates to admissions tutors in any discipline that candidates have completed one of the most academically rigorous A Level courses, involving a range of transferable skills and much independent research. Career information: The majority of linguists will combine their language skills with another discipline at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The possibilities of using language skills in the workplace are therefore many, including law, trade and business, industry, design, engineering and humanitarian work, as well as education, and the specialist fields of interpreting and translation, which are currently experiencing serious shortages of native English-speaker practitioners.

Exam Board: Edexcel Specification Name: French/German/Spanish

For further information please contact Mr Latimer 31