INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

FRENCH LANGUAGE B 

WHY SHOULD I STUDY FRENCH?

The theme of Internationalism is prevalent throughout the French B course. You will enjoy exploring the language and culture of French speaking countries and provinces and you will acquire international awareness and intercultural understanding from a perspective other than your own.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS

You will be able to understand and use French in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes. You will acquire an awareness and appreciation of the different perspectives of people from other cultures as well as the ability to handle the language system accurately, to select language appropriately to a particular cultural and social context, and to understand ideas and organise them in order to communicate them appropriately. You will have the opportunity to read literary and non-literary texts, watch and discuss French language broadcasts, and Films

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT

Through Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing you will cover the following aspects of the culture:

First Year: Leisure, Family Life, Arts, Media, Education, Health, Crime and Punishment, Rights and Responsibilities.

Second Year: Environmental issues, Ethics (Euthanasia, Abortion, Homosexuality), Politics, Immigration, Religion, Globalisation,

Students will be provided with a variety of texts and media from various French- speaking countries, thus allowing them to also analyze the similarities and differences in language and culture with the French-speaking world.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

Assessment is both external and internal:

External examination (70%)

• Paper 1 Text Handling (40%)
  Reading comprehension based on a number of written texts
  Written response - short writing exercise in response to a written text
• Paper 2 Written (30%)
  One composition such as an essay, report, letter, article.

Internal Examination (30%)

• Individual Oral (15%)
  Based on stimulus chosen by student
• Interactive Oral Activity (15%)
  such as class discussion, role-play

COURSE COMMITMENT

The main focus of this course is the development of language acquisition. A variety of themes will be explored in this course. Students will be expected to handle a large range of texts of various formats, communicate accurately and effectively both orally and in writing, develop research skills, and work independently.         

PROGRESSION ROUTES

Languages make you very attractive to the top universities and to employers; both because you will have advanced communication skills and because of the discipline required to master the subject.  Pure French degrees are widely offered, but many degree level courses can be also combined with French, e.g. Business/Management and French.  There is always a demand for language teachers, translators and interpreters, but a language degree is attractive to many employers beyond these traditional avenues and is likely to give you the edge over a similar applicant without a linguistic background.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information on this course please contact Barbara Tailby or Evelyn Gresham on (01287) 280800