FRENCH B - HIGHER LEVEL

FRENCH B - HIGHER LEVEL

Aims

• Develop international mindedness through the study of languages, cultures, and ideas and issues of global significance. • Enable students to communicate in the language they have studied in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes. • Encourage, through the study of texts and through social interaction, an awareness and appreciation of a variety of perspectives of people from diverse cultures. • Develop students’ understanding of the relationship between the languages and cultures with which they are familiar. • Develop students’ awareness of the importance of language in relation to other areas of knowledge. • Provide students, through language learning and the process of inquiry, with opportunities for intellectual engagement and the development of critical and creative thinking skills. • Provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure through the use of an additional language. • Foster curiosity, creativity and a lifelong enjoyment of language learning.

Course description:

The content of the course for Standard and Higher levels is predominantly the same although HL students must also study two works of literature. The extra lessons at Higher level will be dedicated to more advanced grammar, speaking and literary content. Reading literature in the target language can be an enjoyable journey into the culture/s studied; it will help students to broaden their vocabulary and to use language in a more creative manner, developing fluent reading skills, promoting interpretative and inferential skills and contributing to intercultural understanding.

Requirements:

A genuine interest in the French language is crucial for this course. You should have studied the language for at least three years and should be keen to develop the level of your language. Literary extracts are included in both courses but are only explicitly examined at Higher level. You should be prepared to be well organised and to work conscientiously and independently over the two-year period. Higher level is a good stepping stone to university French. You should bear this in mind when making your decision.

Career Path:

In today’s interconnected world, the art of communication is a distinct asset, whatever career path you choose. Beyond the obvious careers requiring a foreign language as a primary skill such as diplomacy, sales, interpreting, teaching and translating, there are many fields where speaking a foreign language is a highly desirable skill. These include publishing, the media and journalism, government services, banking, intelligence, travel and tourism, fashion, law, international marketing and real estate. The study of a language not only provides tangible communicative skills but also teaches general linguistic precision and an awareness of cultural differences.

If studied at a UK university, all of the below would involve six months to a year working or studying in a French-speaking country

Single honours – the study of language, literature, history, politics, sociology, film, all in the target language

Joint honours – French and a second language

Course combinations - French and law/ business/ computer science/ economics & management/ international relations/ music/ English/ history/ geography/ philosophy/ politics/ classical studies/ film/ linguistics etc.

5 TERM OVERVIEW

Themes

Internal Assessment:

External Assessment: Theme 1 - Identities

Theme 2 - Experiences

Theme 3 – Human Ingenuity

Theme 4 – Social Organisation

Theme 5 – Sharing the Planet

25%, oral exam, externally moderated. Individual oral: 12-15 mins + 20 mins of preparation 75% Examination

• Paper 1: one piece of writing from a choice of 3 themes. 1 hr 30 mins (25%) • Paper 2: Listening and reading (separate sections)

Listening comprehension – 1 hr; Reading comprehension – 1 hr (50%)

Contact for further information:

Mr Cyril Rakoto: cyril.rakoto@tts.edu.sg