AS Units

The WJEC A-Level French AS Units (Unit 1 and Unit 2) form the foundation of your advanced language studies, focusing on developing your ability to communicate effectively in French while deepening your understanding of Francophone culture and society. Unit 1 (Speaking) assesses your spontaneous speaking skills through a discussion of a chosen topic area (such as family, education, or the digital world) and a general conversation on two further themes. Unit 2 (Listening, Reading, Translation and Critical Response) tests your comprehension of spoken and written French, your ability to translate accurately into English and into French, and your capacity to analyse a film or literary text you have studied. Together, these units build the linguistic competence and cultural knowledge essential for progression to A2 and beyond.

Mastering these units is crucial because they account for 40% of your total A-Level qualification (20% each for Units 1 and 2). The skills you develop here—such as summarising, inferring meaning, and constructing arguments in French—are directly transferable to the A2 units and to real-world contexts like university study or professional work. The course also encourages you to engage with contemporary issues in French-speaking countries, from environmental challenges to the role of technology, fostering a broader global perspective. By the end of AS, you should be able to handle a range of topics with confidence, using a variety of tenses and complex structures accurately.

The WJEC specification emphasises authenticity: you will work with materials from French news outlets, interviews, and literary extracts, ensuring your learning is relevant and up-to-date. The critical response element, where you write about a film or book in French, introduces analytical skills that are central to the A2 essay component. Regular practice with past papers and examiner feedback is key to success, as the exams test not just knowledge but the ability to apply it under timed conditions. This unit is your stepping stone to fluency and critical engagement with the French-speaking world.