What exam tips are there for Theme 2 (AS) – Understanding the French-Speaking World? (2)

Be flexible with assessment dates as requested by the visiting examiner

What exam tips are there for Theme 2 (AS) – Understanding the French-Speaking World? (3)

Ensure the chosen standpoint for the argument task is clearly communicated to the examiner before starting

What mistakes should I avoid in Theme 2 (AS) – Understanding the French-Speaking World?

Reading out whole sentences or complete texts prepared during the 15-minute preparation time

What are common errors in Theme 2 (AS) – Understanding the French-Speaking World exams? (2)

Exceeding the allocated timing for each stimulus card

Theme 2 (AS) – Understanding the French-Speaking World

WJEC

A-Level

AS Unit 1: Speaking is a non-exam assessment worth 12% of the total A-level qualification. It lasts 12-15 minutes, preceded by 15 minutes of supervised preparation time. The assessment consists of two tasks: Task 1 (5-6 minutes) involves arguing a point of view based on a written stimulus card from the theme 'Understanding the French-speaking world'. Task 2 (7-9 minutes) is a discussion based on a written stimulus card from the theme 'Being a young person in French-speaking society'.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Theme 2 of the WJEC A-Level French course, 'Understanding the French-Speaking World', explores the diverse cultures, societies, and issues across Francophone countries beyond France. This theme covers topics such as the legacy of colonialism, the role of the French language in global contexts, and contemporary social challenges like immigration and identity. By studying this theme, you will gain a deeper appreciation of how French is a global language spoken on every continent, and how historical and political factors have shaped the Francophone world.

This theme is crucial because it moves beyond a Eurocentric view of French culture and encourages you to engage with the realities of French-speaking communities in Africa, the Caribbean, North America, and Europe. You will analyse authentic texts, films, and audio materials that highlight issues such as cultural hybridity, economic inequality, and linguistic diversity. Understanding these contexts not only enriches your language skills but also prepares you for the A-Level exam, where you must discuss these topics with nuance and evidence.

Within the wider A-Level course, Theme 2 builds on the foundational knowledge of French society from AS Theme 1 (Family, Education, Work) and connects to A2 themes like politics and immigration. It requires you to apply your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary to complex, real-world issues. Mastering this theme will help you achieve high marks in the speaking and writing exams, where you are expected to present balanced arguments and critical analysis.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Spontaneous use of language to initiate communication
Ability to ask and answer questions
Expressing thoughts, feelings, and presenting viewpoints
Developing arguments, persuading, and evaluating
Application of pronunciation, morphology, and syntax
Use of a range of vocabulary and idiom
Use of communication strategies (e.g., circumlocution, self-correction, repair strategies)
Adherence to grammar requirements outlined in Appendix A

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Spontaneous use of language to initiate communication
Ability to ask and answer questions
Expressing thoughts, feelings, and presenting viewpoints
Developing arguments, persuading, and evaluating
Application of pronunciation, morphology, and syntax
Use of a range of vocabulary and idiom
Use of communication strategies (e.g., circumlocution, self-correction, repair strategies)
Adherence to grammar requirements outlined in Appendix A

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use the 15-minute preparation time to make notes in French, English, or Welsh that act as memory aids, not full sentences
💡Be flexible with assessment dates as requested by the visiting examiner
💡Ensure the chosen standpoint for the argument task is clearly communicated to the examiner before starting
💡Familiarize yourself with the assessment grid descriptors to understand how to stretch and challenge your responses
💡Practice spontaneous interaction rather than relying on pre-learnt material

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Reading out whole sentences or complete texts prepared during the 15-minute preparation time
Exceeding the allocated timing for each stimulus card
Failing to use the preparation time effectively to create memory aids rather than scripts

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Argue

Discuss

Present

Evaluate

Initiate

Respond

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Theme 2 (AS) – Understanding the French-Speaking World

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC A-Level French

A2 Unit 3: Speaking (Independent Research Project)

A2 Unit 4: Listening, Reading and Translation

A2 Unit 5: Critical and Analytical Response in Writing (Literary Work)

A2 Units

Theme 2 (AS) – Understanding the French-Speaking World

Topic Overview

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What countries are considered part of the Francophone world?

How do I analyse a text about immigration for the exam?

What is the difference between 'Francophonie' and 'francophonie'?

Why is it important to study Francophone Africa in this theme?

How can I remember key facts about Francophone countries?

What are common essay topics for Theme 2?

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC A-Level French

A2 Unit 3: Speaking (Independent Research Project)

A2 Unit 4: Listening, Reading and Translation

A2 Unit 5: Critical and Analytical Response in Writing (Literary Work)

A2 Units