AS Plans for next Year

Student Booklet
Name …………………………………………..
Contents
Page
Introduction
3
Teaching Staff
3
Expectations
3
Speaking French
3
Organisation
3
Self-Study
4
Course Details and Contents
5
Bridging the gap and quiz
6
Grammar
8
Oral Topic Presentations
9
Activity 1 – Topic Presentation
10
Activity 2 – Understanding Role Plays
11
Activity 3 – Preparation/Question forms
12
Activity 4 – French culture
13
Activity 5 – Typical French idioms
14
Really useful French Websites
15
Learning Log
17
Appendix 1
Oral exam example
18
Appendix 2
Reading exam example
19
Appendix 3
Grammar: cloze test
21
2
Introduction
Welcome to French in the Sixth Form at Crypt. You have chosen to study not only a
fascinating language, spoken in many far-reaching corners of the globe, but to embrace a
culture, a civilisation, a way of thinking that is both similar and dissimilar to our own.
Teaching Staff
Your AS course will be taught by Miss Robin.
You will also have a 30 minute session once a week with the Language assistant.
Expectations
 You undoubtedly well-prepared lessons at an appropriate level for your ability and
we give you our assurance that this expectation will be met.

You are entitled to six taught lessons a fortnight with appropriate homework. In
addition to this you will be timetabled 2 lessons where we will set you work .On top
of this you are expected to undertake a certain amount of self-study, which will
involve learning grammar and vocabulary, researching various topics, using on-line
learning, as well as self study CDs and cassettes. As with any course, you will only
get something out of it if you put something in yourself. We therefore hope for your
assurance that this expectation can be met.
Speaking French
 You should use French as much as possible in class, even if it is for something really
minor. Build up your confidence!
 Tip: Try and say simple everyday phrases in French, eg I’m seeing my boyfriend
tonight – je vais voir mon petit ami ce soir
 It is advantageous but not essential to visit France or a French-speaking country
during your course. Any opportunity you have to make contact with the language
should be taken, as it is in practising it that you will perfect it.
Organisation
 Be prepared for lessons – bring paper, folder, pocket dictionary, text book.
 Be organised – divide your folder according to topic, grammar and vocabulary.
Further instruction will be given to you in September.
 Ensure you learn all vocabulary from each lesson – test yourself, keep a record of
words relating to different topics.
3
Self Study

You will be expected to be familiar with all the grammar points covered at GCSE
and although they will be reviewed at AS, you will need to plug the gaps in your
knowledge yourself. Use the Grammar pages of your text book, French AS by
Hodder and use the school intranet where there is all the practice you will need for
the course

You will be expected to be comfortable knowing the names of various parts of
speech, (eg noun, verb adjective, past participle etc) so that you can understand and
explain why the language is composed as it is.

In the MFL office there are dictionaries. You should consider purchasing a
reasonable size one of your own. They will vastly increase your knowledge of how
language works. Use wordreference.com when on the Internet.

Michel Thomas. He was a world-famous linguist who has taught many of the
world’s famous people to speak foreign languages. He has CD’s which you can buy
or borrow from a library – this might help with your oral work

If you get the opportunity to read a French newspaper or magazine, take it. You will
not understand everything at the beginning but you will build up your competence
by perseverance.

Useful websites: See page 15 of this booklet

Specification – to refer to the specification/syllabus and to see a full list of
grammatical structures, refer to the online version at www.aqa.org.uk and follow the
links or look on the school intranet under MFL KS5

Learning Log. You can use the pages in this booklet to record any additional work
you do. This could be watching a film, reading a book, discovering a new word,
doing an online activity, reading a magazine… anything you do during summer
holiday! Try to log it according to topic, and be prepared to share what you do with
your teacher.
4
The Course
Exams
We are following the AQA exam board specification.
The core content of the AS exam has three elements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Social issues and trend
Artistic culture
Grammar (translating from French
English)
Film study: L’auberge espagnole de Cédric Kaplisch
The exam paper consists of three papers:
Paper
1
2
2
Skills
Listening, reading & writing
Writing (on the film)
Speaking (oral exam)
Marks
90
50
60
Timing
1 hour 45 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes
12-14 minutes
Proportion
45%
25%
30%
Course Content
Reading and listening materials used in the AS units are drawn from the following broad
topic areas and are firmly rooted in the culture of a target-language speaking country:
THEME 1 - Aspects of French-speaking society: current trends



The Family: structures and relationships
The issue of technology (the e-society)
The role of voluntary work
THEME 2 – Artistic culture in the French-speaking world



The importance of heritage in France
Contemporary French music
French cinema
FILM STUDY – L’auberge espagnole (Cédric Kaplisch)
5
Bridging the Gap
You are now at the stage in your language learning where you bridge the gap between
GCSE and A Level. You will need to build on prior learning, expand knowledge in weaker
areas and widen your grammatical, lexical and factual knowledge of the French language
and culture.
Complete the following:
I have chosen AS French because ...
I am interested in France and French speaking countries/cultures because…
You may know some of the answers to the items below, but as you increase your knowledge
of French, you will be able to answer all of them.
1. The names of three French newspapers are …
2. The names of three French companies are …
3. The names of three recent French films are …
4. The names of three famous French actors/singers/writers/artists (3 of each) are …
5. The Bac is
6. Un HLM is
7. Le Concubinage is
8. Le PACS is
9. Le SMIC is
10. Le TVA is
11. Three famous French dishes/foods are
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12. Three wine-producing areas are
13. Three French football teams are
14. Three famous French sportspeople are
15. The name of the French tennis stadium is
16. La Francophonie is
17. The names of 3 DOM/TOMs are
18. A country in each continent where French is spoken
19. The name of the French equivalent to British Rail is
20. TGV stands for
21. The French Prime Minister is
22. The French President is
23. The names of 3 French political parties are
24. The leader of the Green Party in France is
25. The French President at the time of World War 2 was
List below any other miscellaneous information you have about France or French-speaking
countries.
7
Grammar
You have already covered many different grammatical concepts for GCSE. For A level you
need to be confident in all tenses and be able to use negatives, pronouns etc well. If you are
unsure then practise, practise, practise on the school intranet!
Write a grammar quiz below to show that you understand 5 tenses (perfect, imperfect,
present, immediate future, future), and 5 other grammar points.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
You have not done the subjunctive yet can you find out what it is???
8

Oral Topic Presentations
What did you do for GCSE? (L’importance de garder la forme/Mes vacances)
For your AS oral you have to talk for three minutes on a topic and then answer questions.
You are marked on your FACTUAL information, your spontaneity and fluency, your
pronunciation and intonation, and your quality of language.
Here are 15 topics and their definition in French. Can you match them up?
1. La tour Eiffel
a. C’est une boisson rouge, blanche ou rosé
2. Le Centre Pompidou
b. C’est un grand parc pas loin de Paris, construit en
1985
c. Elle a crée ‘la petite robe noire’ pendant les années
vingt
d. C’est un grand parcours annuel à vélo dont le
leader porte le maillot jaune
e. C’est ce qu’on mange tous les jours
3. General de Gaulle
4. Louis Vuitton
5. Coco Chanel
6. La Réunion
7. La Martinique
8. La Tour de France
9. La Camargue
10. Le vin
11. La nourriture
12. Amélie
13. Etre et Avoir
14. Jules Verne
15. Disneyland Paris
f. Il était President de la Republique pendant la
Deuxieme Guerre Mondiale
g. C’est un grand monument construit en 1889 pour
une exposition
h. Il était créateur des sacs à main et des malles de
luxe.
i. C’est un musée d’art moderne qui porte le nom d’un
ancien président
j. C’est une île tropicale francophone située aux
Caraïbes où on parle le français
k. C’est une région située dans le sud de la France,
célèbre pour ses chevaux
l. C’est un écrivain célèbre pour ses livres sur les
voyages
m. C’est un département d’outre mer, situé dans
l’Océan Indien
n. C’est un film célèbre dont la vedette s’appelle
Audrey Tatou
o. C’est un film qui s’agit d’une école primaire
pendant une année scolaire
Or anything else which you are genuinely interested in and of which we approve !
Devoirs:
Prepare a 3 minute talk on one of the topics IN ENGLISH (yes, that’s what
it says…after all if you can’t do it in your own language, how can we expect
you to do it in French??)
9
Activity 1:
Aim:
Topic Presentation
To prepare a presentations in French on the previous topic.
How would we write these in French? How are you going to structure it?
My AS Presentation will be on:
Here is my plan:
Here are questions I would like to be asked:
10
Activity 2:
Aim:
Role Plays
To understand similarities between GCSE and AS
To understand the importance of conveying as many facts as possible
Think back to GCSE. What was required?
AS is one step up.
Here are some examples of the stimulus you will receive. Think of it in GCSE terms:
A day out somewhere
Where is it situated
How do you get there
When is it open
What parking facilities are there
What eating facilities are there
If you are vegetarian, is there an option
Handicapped access
What can you do – think of 10 things
What must you do
What good phrases can you remember from GCSE? How could you fit them in?
Useful phrases:
Je viens de trouver –
Si vous aimez, visitez
Si vous avez des enfants, peut-être une visite serait..
Vous pourriez essayer/manger etc
Si on a faim/soif
A mon avis les prix sont raisonnables
Heureusement/malheureusement
Par contre/tandis que
Il faut que + subjunctive
Après avoir visité
Avant de + infinitive
Je crois que
La chose la plus intéressante est, selon moi…
Il a été créé /décidé
Il est essentiel de….
Je pense que…
Il me semble que …
Si je peux / veux …..
Quand j’aurai…
Ce que j’aime c’est…
Ce qui est important, c’est…
11
Activity 3:
Role Plays
Aim:
To think of question forms (as you will be marked for oral on your
ability to ask questions to the examiner)
Revision of question forms.
How to formulate appropriate questions? Make a list of all the interrogative pronouns & the
different way to ask questions in French.
12
Activity 4:
Aim:
Extend your knowledge of French culture
To develop your understanding of a French city
Choose one city in France and prepare a presentation (you must include history, food
culture, principal landmarks)
13
Activity 5:
TYPICAL FRENCH IDIOMS
Match up these sayings and proverbs
1. Aide-toi et le ciel t’aidera.
A. No sooner said than done.
2. Sitôt dit, sitôt fait
B. Things always happen in three
3. Les apparences sont souvent
trompeuses.
D. People in glass houses shouldn’t
throw stones.
4. Ce n’est pas à un vieux singe qu’on
will apprend à faire des grimaces.
E. While the cat’s away, the mice
play.
5. Tout est bien qui finit bien.
F. Hope springs eternal.
6. Quand le chat est parti, les souris
dansent.
G. Every cloud has a silver lining.
7. Rien ne sert de courir, il faut partir
à point.
H. You can’t make an omelette
without breaking eggs.
8. L’espoir fait vivre.
I. A stitch in time saves nine.
9. Qui s’y frotte s’y pique.
J. All’s well that ends well.
10. Jamais deux sans trois.
K. Love is blind.
11. L’amour est aveugle.
L. God helps those who help themselves.
12. On ne fait pas d’omelettes sans
casser d’oeufs.
M. Never judge a book by its cover.
13. Après la pluie, le beau temps.
N. He who dares, wins!
14. Qui ne risque rien n’a rien.
O. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
14
REALLY USEFUL FRENCH WEBSITES
& how to use them best!
TO WORK ON YOUR LISTENING
You should select a short audio or video clip from the Internet. Play the clip at least three
times and write a brief summary in French (it needn’t be any longer than 50 words) with a
vocabulary list of at least 10 words. These could be key words or they could be words that
are new to you and had to be looked up.
It is easier to start with short news bulletins. Video clips are ideal as they are easier to
understand. Start with shorter clips and then when you feel ready, you could choose a radio
programme from the Radio station websites listed below.
French News
http://fr.euronews.com/
Choose from a wide variety of News videos.
http://www.tf1.fr/jt-20h/
Watch today’s news from the TV channel TF1 (not easy, but if you already know what the
main stories are…)
French TV channel websites:
Many sites will block content from the UK. Log on instead to TV5 where you can access a
number of videos
http://www.ina.fr/ is a free resource. It includes excerpts of news programs and
documentaries and covers a huge range of topics.
http://fr.ver-taal.com/ has an excellent selection of videos which include newsreels,
advertisements, and songs. They have transcripts for you to download and the videos are all
accompanied by online exercises. A very useful website.
For celebrity gossip....
gala.fr
paris match.fr
French Radio on-line
http://www.radiofrance.fr/
This is an excellent website that allows you to access seven radio stations and
listen live or download podcasts. There are a number of videos on the site too
15
TO WORK ON YOUR READING
Select an article which interests you, read it carefully and select at least 10 new pieces of
vocabulary to look up. The choice of topic area is limitless. The temptation may be to pick
an article on fashion, but you should avoid doing this every week as they are not so easy to
understand. It is a good idea to vary the topic area and to choose articles related to the
syllabus topics so that you encounter a variety of vocabulary.
The major national newspapers can all be read online:
http://www.liberation.fr/
http://www.lemonde.fr/
http://www.leparisien.fr/
World news can be read on http://www.courrierinternational.com/
It is also worth looking at http://www.1jour1actu.com/ which is a resume of news articles
aimed at French children (and therefore might be more accessible for you!)
The following magazines are also worth looking at:
http://www.telerama.fr/
http://www.elle.fr/
http://www.lexpress.fr/
http://www.letudiant.fr/
http://www.lequipe.fr/ (for sport)
16
Learning Log
Learning for the AS themes are ongoing and cannot be measured accurately in terms of
learning outcomes. Therefore each individual article will have different learning outcomes
depending on its subject content, grammar and vocabulary.
My Learning Log
17
ORAL EXAM EXAMPLE:
CARTE A
Theme
Sub-theme
Artistic culture in the French-speaking world
Une culture fière de son patrimoine
Découvrez les plus beaux villages de France
L'association « Les Plus Beaux Villages de France »,
créée en 1982, soutient et fait la promotion des
communes rurales au riche patrimoine. Elle sélectionne
ces villages à partir de critères très stricts (sites
classés, programme de protection du patrimoine, limite
maximum de 2 000 habitants…). La France est fière de
ces beaux villages.
Questions
• Que dit-on ici sur le patrimoine culturel français ?
• Quelle est votre réaction aux informations sur cette carte ?
• Selon ce que vous en savez, qui bénéficie de la protection des sites
culturels, en France ou ailleurs dans le monde francophone ?
18
READING EXAM EXAMPLE:
7
Lisez cet article sur un événement caritatif.
Le Bal des Enfoirés
Vendredi 16 mars en prime-time TF1 diffusera le nouveau spectacle du
Bal des Enfoirés, l’événement caritatif au profit des Restos du Cœur.
Le concert a été enregistré à Lyon début février. L’année dernière,
ce grand spectacle musical a, une nouvelle fois, créé l’événement en
rassemblant un téléspectateur sur deux, un record d’audience. Cette
année, le concert compte de nouvelles têtes, comme Shy’m et Matt
Pakora. Pendant plus de deux heures et demie (et beaucoup de pages de
publicité), des artistes de tous horizons vont se produire sur scène, se
déguiser, chanter. Vous pourrez voir par exemple MC Cool, le rappeur,
présenter sa version d’une chanson de Claude François (le pauvre Claude,
cela ne lui aurait pas du tout plu).
Samedi 17 mars, le double CD et le double DVD avec l’intégralité du
concert et de nombreux bonus, seront mis en vente au profit des Restos
du Cœur. Chaque vente de CD ou de DVD permettra à l’association de
distribuer 18 repas aux sans-abri.
La chanteuse Eliane Mansour, qui participe au spectacle pour la troisième
fois, nous a dit que c’est une fierté incroyable de contribuer à la cause.
Elle est impressionnée de se retrouver à côté des artistes comme Patrick
Bruel et Jean-Jacques Goldman, des artistes qu’elle a suivis quand elle
était petite.
19
Pour chacune des phrases ci-dessous, notez V (vrai), F (faux) ou ND (information non-donnée).
7 (a)
7 (b)
Le concert sera diffusé en direct.
Une cinquantaine d’artistes participent au spectacle.
7 (c)
L’année dernière, le spectacle a été peu populaire parmi les
téléspectateurs.
7 (d)
Il y a des artistes qui participent au concert pour la première
fois cette année.
7 (e)
Il y aura une pause-publicité toutes les trente minutes.
7 (f)
Claude François approuverait l’interprétation de sa chanson
par MC Cool.
7 (g)
Le CD et le DVD du concert ont déjà été mis en vente.
7 (h)
Les bénéfices des CD et des DVD vont profiter aux SDF.
20
EXAMPLE CLOZE TEST
9
Dans ce texte sur les familles recomposées, remplissez les blancs avec la forme correcte des
mots.
9 (a) Il y a de plus en plus de ces .................................................... tribus familiales.
(nouveau)
9 (b) Pour .................................................... des conflits, il faut comprendre les sentiments
des enfants. (éviter)
9 (c)
Un enfant a besoin de temps s’il a .................................................... un nouveau
parent dans la famille. (recevoir)
9 (d) Il est naturellement concerné par tous les changements
.................................................... (familial)
9 (e) Nicole Broudin a .................................................... créer un lien entre son fils et son
nouveau partenaire. (vouloir)
Bon courage
& bonnes vacances
21