Individual research project — AQA A-Level French

The Individual Research Project (IRP) is a core component of the AQA A-Level French course, designed to assess your ability to conduct independent research and present your findings in French. You will choose a topic related to the culture or society of a French-speaking country, such as a historical event, a social issue, a cultural movement, or a significant figure. The project culminates in a 2-minute presentation and a subsequent discussion with your teacher-examiner, forming part of the speaking exam (Paper 3). This task tests not only your language skills but also your critical thinking, research skills, and ability to express and justify opinions in French.

The IRP is worth 21 marks out of 60 for the speaking exam (35% of the total speaking mark) and contributes to 9% of your overall A-Level grade. It is a unique opportunity to explore a subject you are genuinely passionate about, which can make your revision more engaging and your performance more authentic. Success in the IRP requires careful planning, thorough research, and structured practice. You must demonstrate a deep understanding of your chosen topic, use a range of complex language, and be prepared to answer spontaneous questions from the examiner.

The IRP fits into the wider A-Level French course by allowing you to apply the language skills and cultural knowledge you have developed across all topics. It encourages independent learning and critical analysis, skills that are highly valued in higher education and beyond. The project also complements the other components of the speaking exam, such as the discussion of a sub-theme from the course, by requiring you to synthesise information and present a coherent argument in French.

• →Choosing a focused and manageable research question: Your topic should be specific enough to allow in-depth analysis within the 2-minute presentation, e.g., 'How did the Dreyfus Affair shape modern French republicanism?' rather than 'French history'.
• →Using a range of authentic sources: You must reference at least one source in French, such as news articles, documentaries, or academic texts, to demonstrate engagement with Francophone perspectives.
• →Structuring your presentation effectively: A clear introduction, 2-3 main points with evidence, and a conclusion that answers your research question and offers a personal opinion.
• →Preparing for the discussion: Anticipate questions on your sources, alternative viewpoints, and the wider context of your topic. You should be able to justify your conclusions and discuss limitations.
• →Using complex language and structures: Incorporate a range of tenses, subjunctive mood, idiomatic expressions, and sophisticated vocabulary to achieve high marks for language accuracy and range.

• Presentation of key findings (up to 2 minutes)
• Discussion of research findings (9-10 minutes)
• Ability to initiate and conduct individual research
• Ability to analyse and summarise research findings
• Ability to explain, develop, justify, and defend opinions and views
• Use of at least two authentic sources (one must be online)
• Critical and analytical response to the chosen topic
• Knowledge and understanding of the culture and society relevant to the topic

• 💡Ensure the research title and approach are distinct from other students in the cohort
• 💡Focus on the quality of findings rather than quantity during the presentation
• 💡Prepare to defend findings and conclusions against examiner challenges
• 💡Ensure the research topic allows for critical evaluation (importance, impact, value, significance)
• 💡Use the Candidate Record form to clearly indicate the scope and sources used
• 💡Practice responding to questions that invite evaluation rather than just factual recall
• 💡Choose a topic that genuinely interests you. Your enthusiasm will come across in your delivery and make the discussion more engaging. Examiners can tell when a student is passionate about their subject.
• 💡Practice the discussion with a teacher or peer. Record yourself answering unexpected questions to improve your fluency and ability to think on your feet. Focus on linking your answers back to your research question.
• 💡Use a variety of sources, including at least one from a French-speaking country. This shows depth of research and cultural insight. Be ready to discuss how your sources influenced your conclusions and any biases they may have.

• Basing research on the same literary text or film used in the written assessment
• Selecting the same research subject as another student in the same cohort
• Exceeding the 2-minute limit for the presentation
• Failing to use at least two sources or failing to include an online source
• Including irrelevant material in the discussion
• Relying on factual description rather than critical analysis and evaluation
• Misconception: The presentation is the most important part. Correction: While the presentation sets the stage, the discussion carries equal weight (10 marks for presentation, 11 for discussion). You must be prepared to answer questions spontaneously and defend your views.
• Misconception: You can memorise a script and recite it. Correction: Examiners penalise rote-learned responses. Your presentation should sound natural, and you should be able to paraphrase and adapt your answers during the discussion.
• Misconception: Any topic related to France is acceptable. Correction: The topic must relate to a French-speaking country or community, but it should also allow for analysis and personal opinion, not just factual description. Avoid overly broad or purely historical topics without contemporary relevance.