What should I focus on for CCEA A-Level French?

In written responses, always structure your argument with a clear introduction, developed paragraphs using connectives like ‘en revanche’ and ‘par conséquent’, and a concise conclusion that summarises your evaluation.

What should I focus on for CCEA A-Level French? (2)

Support your points with named examples or data, such as citing INSEE statistics on marriage rates or referencing a recent news article on family policy in a Francophone country.

What should I focus on for CCEA A-Level French? (3)

In written tasks, always structure your argument into clear paragraphs: introduction, points for and against, and a conclusion that synthesises the evaluation.

What should I focus on for CCEA A-Level French? (4)

For the speaking exam, prepare a list of key statistics and recent events (e.g., percentage of young French people using social media daily) to support your points convincingly.

What should I focus on for CCEA A-Level French? (5)

Use a range of opinion phrases to express nuanced views, such as 'Je suis convaincu que', 'Il me semble que', 'C'est indéniable que...'.

What are common mistakes in CCEA A-Level French?

Confusing the terms ‘mariage’ and ‘PACS’, or treating them as synonymous when they carry different legal rights and social perceptions.

What are common mistakes in CCEA A-Level French? (2)

Overgeneralising family trends across all French-speaking countries without acknowledging regional differences, such as between metropolitan France and Québec.

What are common mistakes in CCEA A-Level French? (3)

Failing to use appropriate registers when discussing sensitive topics like divorce, leading to colloquial or inappropriate expressions in formal assessments.

French

CCEA

A-Level

Specification: 601/8387/1

This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

Topics

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

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Key Features

Master key concepts
Develop exam technique
Apply knowledge effectively

Assessment Objectives

AO1

25%

Understand and respond to spoken language including face-to-face interaction

AO2

25%

Understand and respond to written language drawn from a variety of sources

AO3

30%

Manipulate the language accurately, in spoken and written forms, using a range of lexis and structure

AO4

20%

Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically and analytically to, different aspects of the culture and society

What Gets Top Grades

A*/Grade 9

Knowledge & Understanding

Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge

Uses correct subject-specific terminology
Shows detailed understanding of concepts
Makes accurate connections between topics
Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge

Application

Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts

Selects relevant knowledge for the question
Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
Uses examples appropriately
Shows awareness of context

Analysis & Evaluation

Develops sophisticated analytical arguments

Constructs logical chains of reasoning
Considers multiple perspectives
Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
Acknowledges limitations and nuances

Key Command Words

CCEA

State

1 mark

Give a single fact or term

Identify

1 mark

Name, select, or recognise

Outline

2 marks

Set out main features briefly

Describe

2-4 marks

Give an account of what something is like or what happens

Explain

3-6 marks

Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains

Compare

2-4 marks

State similarities AND differences (both required)

Analyse

6-9 marks

Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains

Evaluate

6-12 marks

Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion

Assess

6-12 marks

Make judgments about importance with justification

Calculate

2-4 marks

Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units

Common Exam Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

•Confusing the terms ‘mariage’ and ‘PACS’, or treating them as synonymous when they carry different legal rights and social perceptions.
•Overgeneralising family trends across all French-speaking countries without acknowledging regional differences, such as between metropolitan France and Québec.
•Failing to use appropriate registers when discussing sensitive topics like divorce, leading to colloquial or inappropriate expressions in formal assessments.
•Confusing the verbs 'poster' and 'publier' with 'télécharger' when discussing social media actions.
•Offering unbalanced arguments that overly focus on benefits or risks without evaluating both sides, failing to address the evaluative requirement.
•Using anglicisms like 'le digital world' instead of the correct French 'le monde numérique' or 'la sphère digitale'.
•Providing generic examples with no reference to French-speaking countries, thus lacking cultural relevance.
•Conflating the roles of state welfare and voluntary organisations in France, or assuming all French-speaking countries have identical third-sector structures.

Top Examiner Tips

Expert advice for exam success

•In written responses, always structure your argument with a clear introduction, developed paragraphs using connectives like ‘en revanche’ and ‘par conséquent’, and a concise conclusion that summarises your evaluation.
•Support your points with named examples or data, such as citing INSEE statistics on marriage rates or referencing a recent news article on family policy in a Francophone country.
•In written tasks, always structure your argument into clear paragraphs: introduction, points for and against, and a conclusion that synthesises the evaluation.
•For the speaking exam, prepare a list of key statistics and recent events (e.g., percentage of young French people using social media daily) to support your points convincingly.
•Use a range of opinion phrases to express nuanced views, such as 'Je suis convaincu que', 'Il me semble que', 'C'est indéniable que...'.
•When discussing technology and employment, ensure you can refer to both negative impacts (job losses due to automation) and positive ones (new tech jobs, remote work opportunities).
•Memorise key facts about at least three voluntary organisations in France, Belgium, Switzerland, or Québec—such as their founding date, mission, and scale—to use as concrete evidence.
•Structure your essay to first outline the charity landscape, then analyse motivations using theoretical frameworks (e.g., functionalism, individualism), and finally evaluate impact with balanced arguments.

Specification Topics

5 topics

Social Issues and Trends

This subtopic explores evolving family dynamics in Francophone societies, including the rise of non-traditional structures such as single-parent and blended families, and the shifting social and legal attitudes towards marriage, cohabitation, and divorce. Students are expected to critically evaluate the societal and individual implications of these changes, drawing on statistical data and cultural contexts from France and other French-speaking countries.

Family and Relationships, Digital World, Volunteering and Charity

0 objectives11 tips12 pitfalls3 subtopics

Political and Artistic Culture

This subtopic examines the dynamic evolution of French cinema from the Nouvelle Vague to contemporary globalised production, exploring how films reflect and critique societal issues such as identity, politics, and social change. It also evaluates the role of television as a medium that shapes public opinion, considering both its historical influence and modern digital transformation within the French-speaking world. A deep understanding of these media landscapes is essential for grasping how artistic culture intersects with political discourse in France.

Cinema and Television, Music and Festivals, Heritage and Tourism

0 objectives9 tips9 pitfalls3 subtopics

Grammar and Language Skills

This subtopic focuses on the accurate formation and usage of French verb tenses (present, past, and future) and the subjunctive mood, essential for sophisticated written and spoken communication. Learners must master conjugations, irregular patterns, and tense agreement to express time, uncertainty, and emotion effectively, distinguishing carefully between the indicative and subjunctive in complex sentence structures.

Tenses and Moods, Vocabulary and Register, Sentence Structure and Syntax

0 objectives10 tips11 pitfalls3 subtopics

Literary Texts and Films

The study of a film at A-Level French involves an in-depth critical analysis of a director's work, focusing on how cinematic techniques such as camera work, editing, and sound design shape narrative and convey thematic complexities. Students examine the film's representation of social or political issues, evaluating its accuracy, bias, and impact within the French-speaking cultural landscape. Comparative analysis with other cinematic works or real-world contexts deepens understanding of artistic influence, genre conventions, and historical situatedness.

Study of a Film, Study of a Literary Text

0 objectives8 tips7 pitfalls2 subtopics

Independent Research Project

This subtopic guides learners through the independent research process, from topic selection to final presentation, focusing on the Francophone world. It develops critical research skills, language proficiency, and the ability to construct a coherent argument in French, culminating in a presentation that demonstrates deep cultural and linguistic understanding.

Research and Presentation

0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

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