Exam Board and Specification Code: AQA (8652)
The Course
French is not just a subject - it is a gateway to academic and professional success. Universities often prefer
applicants with language skills, as they demonstrate intellectual versatility and global awareness. Learning French unlocks exciting career paths - teaching, translation, editing, proofreading, travel and tourism,
hospitality, Foreign Service international diplomacy and global business.
Course Content
GCSE French explores three key themes: People & Lifestyle, Popular Culture, and Communication & the World Around Us. Through these themes, students will engage with a diverse range of topics, from
personal and daily life to travel, celebrity culture, media, and technology. The curriculum also delves into
contemporary issues, including advancements in media technology, global challenges, and environmental
concerns, providing a well-rounded understanding of the modern world.
How is the course assessed?
GCSE French is divided into two tiers: Foundation Tier (grades 1-5) and Higher Tier (grades 4-9). Students are required to take all four-question papers within the same tier, and all exams must be completed in the same assessment series.
Paper 1: Listening (35/45 minutes 25%
Paper 2: Reading (45/60 minutes) 25%
Paper 3: Speaking (7-9/10-12 minutes) 25%
Paper 4: Writing (70/75 minutes) 25%
Progression
Studying French at GCSE level serves as a valuable gateway to countless academic and professional opportunities. As the world's third most widely used business language, French plays a key role in international communication. It is also the global language of gastronomy, fashion, theatre, the visual arts, dance, and architecture, making it an essential tool for engaging with cultural and creative industries.
Mastering French opens doors to prestigious French and Francophone universities, renowned for their academic excellence. With 321 million speakers worldwide, French is the only language apart from English spoken across five continents, offering immense global connectivity.
Beyond its practical applications, French is an analytical language that fosters structured thinking and sharpens critical reasoning. It also enhances the ability to learn other languages, particularly Romance languages such as Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian an even English, as over half of its modern vocabulary has French origins.
Reading
AQA Approved GCSE French Higher Student Book (AQA GCSE French 1st edition): Paul Shannon, Amandine Moores et al. OUP Oxford, ISBN-10: 1382045786 ISBN-13: 978-1382045780
