Learning a new language allows you to connect with different people and their cultures. The ability to use language is at the centre of thinking. You reflect, communicate and develop ideas through language.
French is the second most popular learned language in the world after English, and is spoken in around 30 countries. These include: Belgium, Canada, Switzerland and many countries in central and north Africa. It is one of the official languages of the European Union.
It is a valuable second language in many different career areas and, of course, is useful when you are on holiday or travelling in France and other French-speaking countries.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism
Information, Culture and Heritage
Uniformed and Security Services
This is at the discretion of the school/college but you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:
This course aims to help you develop your reading, listening, talking and writing skills in French, in a variety of contexts. You will encounter a wide range of different types of texts in different media. In addition, the course also provides you with knowledge of French and the customs and way of life of the French people.
In particular you will learn to develop:
The course assessment has five components totalling 120 marks:
For the assignment component, you will be required to produce a piece of writing (200-250 words) in French based on one of the following contexts: society, learning, employability, culture.
For the performance component, you will take part in a discussion with your teacher or lecturer, using detailed and complex language on at least two different contexts, and respond to questions in French relating to each of the contexts.
The performance component is set and verified externally by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and assessed and marked by your school or college.
Both the question papers and the assignment are set and externally marked by SQA.
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
Successful completion of this course may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
