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A STUDENT'S GUIDE TO THE AS/A LEVEL IN FRENCH AND GERMAN
What will I learn on this course? The course will help you to develop your general study skills, but most of all you will learn to communicate on a higher level in the language you have chosen. You will also learn much more about a wide range of aspects of the societies in which the language is spoken. Reading You will be able to read, understand and extract information taken from magazines, newspapers, reports or books. Listening You will be able to listen to and understand contemporary spoken language and answer questions on what you have heard. The material will come from news reports on the radio or TV, weather reports, announcements, advertisements, interviews and discussions. Speaking and Writing You will learn how to write essays, to hold conversations and give oral presentations. You will need to learn the appropriate grammar and vocabulary that will help you to:
 provide opinions
What kind of student is this course suitable for? If you are interested in languages and enjoy learning about other cultures, then this course could be for you. If you are willing to put a lot into communicating and understanding you will gain great benefit from this AS/A Level. Whether you want to use the language for further study, for work or for leisure, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge.
What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification? AS - AS is short for Advanced Subsidiary. This is the first half of the A level course. You can take the AS on its own at the end of the Lower Sixth, or you can continue with the full A Level in the Upper Sixth.The AS consists of three units. Unit 1 Listening and Writing (1 hour) AS 30%, AL 15% You will have to listen to5-6 minutes of recorded material. You will have control of the tape and can stop and rewind it as much as like within the time allotted. You will have to answer questions in the target language and in English. Unit 2 Reading and Writing (2 hours) AS 40%, AL 20% You will read five passages in the target language, answering some questions in the language and some in English. One of the passages will be a stimulus from which you will write a response (letter, report or article) of 150 words in the target language. Unit 3 Prepared Oral Topic (10-12 minutes) AS 30%, AL 15% You will be expected to prepare a topic of your choice, which deals with an aspect of culture or society in the target language country. You will give a 2-minute presentation, then discuss the topic with the examiner. A Level - The full A Level qualification is made up of the three AS units plus three more units which are studied at a higher (more difficult) level. Some students will continue with the full course. Some will stop at AS. You can still get a certificate for just the AS. Unit 4 Oral Discussion of Issues (10-12 minutes) 15% You will prepare an issue that relates to the target language country. It is important to choose a subject that you feel strongly about, as you will have to argue your point of view with the examiner! You will then discuss a further two unprepared issues. This examination tests your ability to argue a point and cope with spontaneous discussion. Unit 5 Topic or Text or Coursework (1 hour 30 minutes) 15% You will study either a specific topic in detail or a piece of literature in the target language. In the examination you will need to write an essay of at least 350 words in the target language. Instead of the topic or text you can research a topic of your choice related to the target language country and write a piece of work of approximately 1200 words in the target language. Unit 6 Listening, Reading and Writing (2 hours 45 minutes) 20% You will listen to two passages. You will have to answer questions in the target language and write a summary in English of 80- 100 words. You will read a long passage. There will be questions in the target language and a translation into French/German from an English passage. You will also have to write an essay of 250 words in the target language.
What could I go on to do at the end of my course? There will be a range of opportunities open to you. Some students choose to do a degree course in languages: others decide to pursue another course as their main subject, but choose a language option alongside it. Having a language at AS or A Level will certainly improve your employability, especially with companies who have branches abroad. Whether you are interested in continuing your language studies or working at home or abroad, a language course at AS or A level is an excellent step towards achieving your goals.
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