Examination Board : Edexcel

Link to Specification :

French : http://www.edexcel.com/.../GCE%20New%20GCE/spec-gce-french.pdf
German : http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCE%20New%20GCE/spec-gce-german.pdf
Spanish : http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/GCE%20New%20GCE/spec-gce-spanish.pdf

Course Content

Students of language continue to focus on the 4 fundamental language skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing in the Target Language. Study of Modern Foreign Languages at AS/A2 level seeks to deepen students' knowledge of the target language and allow them to express themselves with confidence on a variety of different topics. The A' Level asks students to compare and contrast different cultures, and to express their ideas cogently and clearly in the Target Language. With this in mind the course tackles some of the most complex grammatical structures of the Target Language in depth, allowing students to do justice to the ideas and concepts they wish to express. The study of a language at A' Level is separated under headings such as Youth Concerns, Health and Lifestyle, the World around us and Literature & the Arts. Students will look in depth at aspects of the culture, society, history and politics of a country, and will also be introduced to some of the major works of literature of the country.

Skills gained from taking this course

Students will learn a variety of skills during their study of a language at A' Level. Study is divided equally among the four Key Skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing and students are provided with a thorough knowledge of the grammar of the Target Language. In Listening students learn to cope with passages of authentic spoken language and respond in Target Language to demonstrate their understanding. A Level language students become increasingly familiar with authentic written Target Language material and are taught to decode this information and respond in their own words. In Speaking students learn to respond orally on a spontaneous level to a variety of stimuli, and to express their ideas cogently and clearly. Students learn to think in an analytical fashion in order to debate the more controversial and polemic issues at stake in the world today. They are demanded to write at length on adult issues and must show an ability to approach an issue objectively and construct their arguments in a logical sequence.

Entry Requirements (all A2 subjects carry a minimum requirement of a D-grade AS level)

The school offer for entry is 5 GCSEs at B Grade and above with English Language or Literature and Mathematics at A* - C grade.

Entry Suggestions

Candidates need to have an ability to grasp more complex grammatical structures, and not to be put off by lengthy passages of Target Language, whether written or spoken. For this reason, although we allow students who achieve a B at GCSE in a language to go on to study at AS level, it is highly recommended that a candidate achieves an A.

If you are made an offer and meet the required grade, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:

• Revise the main verb tenses studied at GCSE, and ensure you are able to express yourself in past, present and future time frames.
• Use the internet or authentic materials from the country of study to research recent important events in the Target Language Country.
• Gain a basic understanding of the history, politics and culture of the Target Language country e.g. who is the President/Prime Minister? What cultural differences / similarities are there between the country and Britain? What historical events are celebrated by the citizens of the country and why?

Resources needed for this course (Books, Field-trips etc)

• A good bilingual dictionary (English - Target Language)
• A modern grammar of the Target Language (we can recommend specific editions per language)