French and Spanish

EDEXCEL: AS AND A LEVEL COURSES

A language can, of course, be a useful subject in almost any combination of A2 / AS level subjects, although a pupil who wishes to become a modern linguist should, if possible, study two languages to A2 level. These could be combined with advantage with History or English for example; but additionally, students specialising in Science/Maths should not lightly dismiss the possibility of also maintaining some interest in a foreign language at A2 or AS level if qualifications and timetabling constraints permit.
Oral fluency is always greatly enhanced by residence in the country concerned. Our school is conveniently situated for European contacts and we are in a position to set up a variety of visits, paying guest arrangements, exchanges, courses, etc. - any of which must be a high priority for Lower Sixth pupils following an A2 or AS level course in Modern Languages.

Entry Requirements - normally GCSE pass, preferably Grade B or above.

The 2 year A2 level course - usually consists of eight periods of language work and topic study per week, with a session with the Language Assistant.
The course is geared to the requirements of the new EDEXCEL A2 level examination which on the language side consists of writing, speaking and listening/reading comprehension work and on the topic side consists of studying a variety of mostly modern texts and/or topics in the foreign language. The relative values of the various examination papers at A2 level are as shown in the EDEXCEL Syllabus Résumé below. (ALL units 1 to 6 required)

The AS level course:
Students selecting this option attend the eight periods devoted to language work in the A level course. Though there are differences of emphasis in the AS examination, the one / two-year course follows the pattern of the A level course which covers all the AS requirements. The relative values of the AS level examination papers are shown in the ULEAC Syllabus Résumé below. (Units 1, 2 and 3 only)

Content
(TL = target language)

CORE MODULES REQUIRED FOR AS (AND A2)

1 Listening and Writing 45 mins

Retrieving and conveying information on the basis of recorded TL material
(responses mainly in TL, some English)

2 Reading and Writing 2 hrs

Retrieving and conveying information on the basis of printed TL material
(responses mainly in TL, some English)

3 Oral Topic 15 mins

TL discussion of a prepared contemporary topic using TL notes, including seeking/ providing opinions / information

EXTRA MODULES REQUIRED FOR A2

4 1 Oral Discussion of an Issue 15 mins

Free-ranging TL conversation

Or 2 Interpreting 15-18 mins

Practical interpreting from and into TL

5 pieces of extended TL writing on chosen topics based on culture / society of TL country. (450 to 500 words and 900 to 1000 words)

6 (a) Listening and Writing 2½ hrs

b) Reading and Writing

(c) Writing in Registers

Retrieving and conveying information by answering questions on authentic, recorded TL material and on authentic TL printed material. (TL responses and a short translation from English into the TL)
Producing an extended piece of writing in TL in response to a question or task chosen from one of the following 3 options:
- creative writing
- discursive essay
- task-based assignment

Looking Further Ahead

Universities offer degree courses in the same or other languages, European Studies, and Business Studies and many Joint Honours courses combining a language with History, English, or Philosophy – and even Science or Maths.
There are some university courses in subject areas such as International Relations or American Studies with one-year abroad as part of the course where it would be an advantage to offer an A level language. Many students are encouraged to take up a language at University, especially science graduates, as an extra subject. It is an advantage to have some language background in order to cope with self-teaching language programmes.
A Modern Language degree qualifies the graduate for all the very varied posts which are open to Arts graduates in general. Almost half of advertised vacancies for graduates are open to Arts graduates of any discipline. The Modern Languages graduate has the added ad vantage that the command of at least one European language in addition to English can give in many walks of life: in Law, in Commerce and Industry, the Civil and Diplomatic Services, etc. In recent years many Modern Language graduates have also been successful in various aspects of computing.