A Level Modern Foreign Languages French/German/Spanish/Italian

 

To study an MFL you should have achieved at least a B at GCSE.  You should have an avid interest in current affairs of the country of the language you are studying and be willing to express and develop your opinions on a wide range of topics in the target language. 

 

AS Units

 

Unit 1: Spoken Expression and Response

 

30% of total AS marks

15% of total GCE marks

 

8 - 10 minute assessment in 2 sections

 

Section A requires students to respond to 4 questions set by Edexcel on a stimulus related to the student’s general topic area.

 

Section B requires the Teacher/Examiner to engage the student in a discussion that, although still relating to the same general topic area and its linked subtopics moves away from the main focus of the stimulus.

 

Unit 2 – Understanding and written response

70% of total AS marks

35% of total GCE marks

2 hour 30 minute paper and has 3 sections

 

Section A requires students to listen to a range of authentic recorded material and to retrieve and convey information given in the recording by responding to a range of questions in the target language.

 

Section B requires students to read authentic materials and to retrieve and convey information by responding to a range of target language test types.

 

Section C requires students to write 200-220 words in the form of a letter, report or article in the Target Language based on a short printed stimulus.

A2 Units

 

Unit 3: Understanding and Spoken Response

 

35% of total A2 marks

17.5 % of total GCE marks

 

11-13 minute assessment

 

Students first outline their chosen issue for about one minute, adopting a definite stance towards the issue.  They should then defend and justify their opinions for up to four minutes.  The Teacher/Examiner will then initiate a spontaneous discussion in which a minimum of two further unpredictable areas of discussion will be covered

 

Unit 4: Research, Understanding and Written Response

65% of total A2 marks

32.5% of the total GCE marks

2 hour 30 minute paper and has 3 sections

 

Section A: A short written translation exercise to test students’ ability to transfer meaning from English to the target language effectively

 

Section B: An essay in the target language in response to one from a choice of seven questions, linked to the prescribed general topic areas, that invite either discursive or creative writing

 

Section C: A research-based essay (240-270 words) that relates to the culture and/or society of a Target Language country/countries or community.

 

Progression

Students taking modern languages at AS/A2 level at Ryton have gone on to study French/German/Spanish/Italian at university, sometimes in conjunction with a new language.

 

Many students also study a language at university in conjunction with another subject such as Business, Law, and Sciences.  This combination has led to job opportunities in Europe as well as with UK firms such as Proctor and Gamble who need linguists to conduct their business.

 

Exam board

Edexcel