Enhancing French Language Education: A New Approach to AS and A-level Curriculum
The AS and A-level French curriculum underwent significant revisions since October 2015 to improve cognitive challenge and cultural relevance. The updated content focuses on social, political, and cultural themes such as stereotypes, equality, medical advances, and artistic and political culture. Exam boards collaborated to ensure engaging specifications for students and teachers. The new curriculum emphasizes the importance of grammar, translation, and authentic cultural immersion through literary works and films rooted in the target language cultures. Students explore modern world issues, law and order, and ethical dilemmas while developing language skills and knowledge of French-speaking societies.
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MFL A-LEVEL YORK PGCE October 2015
Decoupled AS and A-level From September 2016 AS-level is a standalone qualification AS-level can be co-taught with A-level AS-level a one year course A-level a two year course with exam at the end No re-sits Same grading structure as now: AS-level A-U, A-level A*-U
New, more rigorous content DfE asked ALCAB to look at existing A-level and suggest improvements ALCAB criticised level of cognitive challenge, inconsistencies across schools and content too general, too much like GCSE All content to be rooted in the culture of the target language cultures Prescribed list of literary works and films Reaffirmation of the importance of grammar and translation
DfE prescribed content Topics should come from general themes: Social issues and trends Political, artistic and intellectual culture Grammar Exam boards have worked within this framework and produced specifications they think students and teachers will enjoy
AS and A-level French content (1) - OCR Stereotypes, equality and gender - the family (different structures and relationships); attitudes to marriage; gender identity; equality of opportunity; the roles of men and women; the effects of communication technology on human relationships. Modern world issues - eating habits, genetically modified (GM) foods, vegetarianism, organic food and food production in target language countries and communities; obsessions and addictions; impacts of lifestyle on health, sport and fitness; technology. Law and order - types of crime, demographics of crime and punishment; cybercrime; crime prevention measures; punishments (prison, fines, alternatives to prison).
AS and A-level French content (2) - OCR Medical advances and related ethical issues - medical research; animal testing; genetic engineering; cosmetic surgery; the effect of extending life expectancy on demographics. Aspects of artistic culture - the popularity and significance of TV, film, theatre and music in the countries and communities where the language is spoken; music as an element of personal and national identity; the impact of digital technology in the world of the arts. Aspects of political culture - political systems; the impact of politics on the individual and society (education, housing, the environment, employment and migration); the role of the EU.
AS and A-level German content (1) - AQA The changing state of the family (Familie im Wandel) The digital world (Die digitale Welt) Youth culture: fashion and trends, music, television (Jugendkultur: Mode, Musik und Fernsehen) Immigration (Einwanderung) Integration (Integration) Racism (Rassismus)
AS and A-level German content (2) - AQA Festivals and traditions (Feste und Traditionen) Art and architecture (Kunst und Architektur) Cultural life in Berlin, past and present (Das Berliner Kulturleben damals und heute) German and the European Union (Deutschland und die Europa sche Union) Politics and youth (Die Politik und die Jugend) German re-unification and its consequences (Die Wiedervereinigung und ihre Folgen)
AS and A-level Spanish content (1) - AQA Modern and traditional values (Los valores tradicionales y modernos) Cyberspace (El ciberespacio) Equal rights (La igualdad de los sexos) Immigration (La Inmigraci n) Racism (El Racismo) Integration (La Convivencia)
AS and A-level Spanish content (2) - AQA Modern day idols (La influencia de los dolos) Spanish regional identity (La identidad regional en Espa a) Cultural heritage or cultural landscape (El patrimonio cultural) Today's youth, tomorrow's citizens (J venes de hoy, ciudadanos de ma ana) Monarchies, republics and dictatorships (Monarqu as, rep blicas y dictaduras) Popular movements (Movimientos populares)
Literature and film AS-level Students do one book or one film Assessed by a target language essay A-level Students do EITHER two books OR one book and one film All works come from prescribed lists
Example books (French) C saire - Une saison au congo. Camus - L' tranger . Nothomb - Stupeur et tremblements. Mauriac - Th r se Desqueyroux. Labro - Le petit gar on. Grimbert - Un secret . Gu ne - Kiffe kiffe demain . Moli re - L Avare.
Example films (French) La Haine Les quatre cents coups Le Corbeau Jean de Florette Intouchables Sans toit ni Loi Entre les murs
Example books (German) B ll - Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum Brecht - Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder D rrenmatt - Der Besuch der alten Dame Frisch - Andorra Heine Gedichte-Buch der Lieder Hensel - Zonenkinder Kafka - Die Verwandlung Kaminer - Russendisko Lenz - Fundb ro Schlink - Der Vorleser
Example films (German) Good bye, Lenin! Das Leben der Anderen Die fetten Jahre sind vorbei Almanya Willkommen in Deutschland Sophie Scholl Die letzten Tage Lola rennt
Example books (Spanish) Esquivel - Como agua para chocolate Lorca - La Casa de Bernarda Alba Zaf n - La sombra del viento Isabel Allende - La casa de los esp ritus Sender - R quiem por un campesino espa ol B cquer - Rimas y leyendas Fernando Fern n-G mez - Las bicicletas son para el verano Manuel Rivas - El l piz del carpintero Gabriel Garc a M rquez - El coronel no tiene a quien le escriba
Example films (Spanish) Volver El laberinto del fauno Ocho apellidos vascos Mar a, llena eres de gracia El bola Las 13 rosas
Individual research project Part of A-level only. Student chooses own area of interest Must relate to TL culture Research must include online sources Assessed as part of the A-level speaking test (presentation and discussion)
Assessment AS-level Three papers, one of them a speaking assessment. Task types include listening, reading, translation, TL essay (on film or literature). Individual control of audio. A-level Three papers, one of them a speaking assessment. Task types include listening, reading, translation, TL essay on film or literature. Individual control of audio.
Lesson activities Discussion from spoken and written texts Listening with audio and video (gap fill, matching, questions, summary, multi-choice, true/false, etc) Translation both ways Grammar exercises (pattern drills, gap fill, etc) Studying film and literature ICT-based tasks Whole class oral work Information gap pair work Task-based activities Games Extensive reading Individual research (reading and listening) Preparing for assessment Essay writing and technique
