How do I revise Social Issues and Trends for CCEA A-Level?

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 exam tips are there for Social Issues and Trends? (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 exam tips are there for Social Issues and Trends? (3)

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.

What mistakes should I avoid in Social Issues and Trends?

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

What are common errors in Social Issues and Trends exams? (2)

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

Social Issues and Trends

CCEA

A-Level

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.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Subtopics in this area

Social Issues and Trends

Topic Overview

Social Issues and Trends in French (CCEA A-Level) explores contemporary societal challenges and cultural shifts in the French-speaking world. This topic covers key areas such as immigration, integration, social inequality, family structures, gender roles, and environmental concerns. Students analyse authentic texts, audio, and visual materials to understand how these issues are debated in France and other Francophone countries. The topic is essential for developing critical thinking and cultural awareness, as it connects language learning with real-world contexts.

This module is part of the broader A-Level French curriculum, which emphasises the ability to discuss and evaluate complex social topics. It builds on GCSE knowledge by requiring deeper analysis and the use of sophisticated vocabulary and grammar. Mastery of this topic is crucial for the speaking and writing exams, where students must present balanced arguments and express personal opinions with justification. Understanding social issues also enhances comprehension of French media, literature, and political discourse.

By studying Social Issues and Trends, students gain insight into the values and challenges of Francophone societies. They learn to compare and contrast these with their own experiences, fostering empathy and global citizenship. This topic also prepares students for further study or careers in international relations, journalism, translation, and education, as it equips them with the linguistic and analytical skills to engage with pressing global issues.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for demonstrating accurate use of relevant French vocabulary and structures when discussing family types, such as ‘famille monoparentale’, ‘famille recomposée’, ‘union libre’, and ‘PACS’.
Expect evidence of critical analysis when evaluating the consequences of divorce, including reference to legal reforms, financial implications, and emotional impact on children.
Look for balanced discussion of marriage versus cohabitation, supported by current statistics or examples from French-speaking media or case studies.
Award credit for demonstrating accurate knowledge of prominent French voluntary organisations (e.g., Les Restos du Cœur, Secours Populaire, Emmaüs) and their specific roles in providing aid.
Credit analysis that moves beyond description to explain reasons for volunteering, such as altruism, religious duty, skill development, or social integration, with reference to francophone cultural contexts.
Reward evaluation that weighs both positive outcomes (e.g., social cohesion, immediate relief) and limitations (e.g., dependency, short-termism) of charity work on communities.
Look for effective use of specific examples from at least two different French-speaking countries or regions to illustrate points.
High marks for coherent essays that structure arguments around the role, motivations, and impact, using appropriate sociological or humanitarian terminology.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for demonstrating accurate use of relevant French vocabulary and structures when discussing family types, such as ‘famille monoparentale’, ‘famille recomposée’, ‘union libre’, and ‘PACS’.
Expect evidence of critical analysis when evaluating the consequences of divorce, including reference to legal reforms, financial implications, and emotional impact on children.
Look for balanced discussion of marriage versus cohabitation, supported by current statistics or examples from French-speaking media or case studies.
Award credit for demonstrating accurate knowledge of prominent French voluntary organisations (e.g., Les Restos du Cœur, Secours Populaire, Emmaüs) and their specific roles in providing aid.
Credit analysis that moves beyond description to explain reasons for volunteering, such as altruism, religious duty, skill development, or social integration, with reference to francophone cultural contexts.
Reward evaluation that weighs both positive outcomes (e.g., social cohesion, immediate relief) and limitations (e.g., dependency, short-termism) of charity work on communities.
Look for effective use of specific examples from at least two different French-speaking countries or regions to illustrate points.
High marks for coherent essays that structure arguments around the role, motivations, and impact, using appropriate sociological or humanitarian terminology.
Award credit for demonstrating accurate and varied use of French vocabulary related to digital technology (e.g., les réseaux sociaux, l'intelligence artificielle, le télétravail, la cyberintimidation).
Award credit for coherent and well-structured arguments that evaluate both risks and benefits, using linking phrases such as 'd'une part... d'autre part', 'cependant', 'en revanche'.
Award credit for incorporating specific, up-to-date examples from Francophone contexts (e.g., the role of TikTok during the 2023 French pension reform protests, or the impact of AI on call centers in Morocco).
Award credit for using complex grammatical structures appropriately, such as the subjunctive after expressions of uncertainty (Il se peut que la technologie crée des emplois...).

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡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.
💡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.
💡Use precise French terminology (e.g., association caritative, bénévolat, action humanitaire) to demonstrate subject literacy and engage the examiner.
💡When evaluating impact, consider both micro-level (individual beneficiaries) and macro-level (community/societal) effects, and mention any relevant statistics or studies you have learned.
💡Plan time to include a short comparative angle—even a few sentences on how volunteering in one francophone country differs from another can show higher-order thinking.
💡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).

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

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.
Conflating the roles of state welfare and voluntary organisations in France, or assuming all French-speaking countries have identical third-sector structures.
Listing only superficial motivations (e.g., 'to help people') without delving into psychological, cultural, or economic drivers like the French concept of solidarité.
Neglecting to evaluate negative aspects of charity work, such as reinforcing power imbalances or creating unsustainable dependency.
Using generic, non-francophone examples (e.g., Oxfam) without connecting them to French-speaking contexts, or failing to distinguish between secular and faith-based organisations.
Writing descriptively rather than analytically—merely summarising organisations instead of critically engaging with their societal impact.
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Family diversity

Gender roles

Intergenerational relationships

Community service

Fundraising

Social responsibility

Social media

Cyberbullying

Privacy

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Practice questions tailored to this topic

Social Issues and Trends

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

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Social Issues and Trends

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I prepare for the speaking exam on social issues?

What are the best resources for studying French social issues?

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in CCEA A-Level French

Political and Artistic Culture

Political and Artistic Culture

Political and Artistic Culture

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