AQA GCSE French
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Course 8658
Course version · 8658Version from Sept 2016Change version
Choose the version your school teaches. Your teacher can confirm which one, including for resits.
Explore your topics
62 study areas
Themes9 study areas
- Themes6 objectives
- Theme 1: Identity and culture3 objectives
- Theme 1: Identity and culture - Topic 1: Me, my family and friends6 objectives
- Theme 1: Identity and culture - Topic 2: Technology in everyday life6 objectives
- Theme 1: Identity and culture - Topic 3: Free-time activities12 objectives
- Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of3 objectives
- Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of - Topic 2: Social issues6 objectives
- Theme 2: Local, national, international and global areas of - Topic 3: Global issues6 objectives
- Theme 3: Current and future study and employment3 objectives
Listening: understand and respond to spoken language1 topic
Speaking: communicate and interact in speech1 topic
Reading: understand and respond to written language1 topic
Writing: communicate in writing1 topic
Grammar13 study areas
- Grammar9 objectives
- Nouns3 objectives
- Articles3 objectives
- Adjectives6 objectives
- Adverbs6 objectives
- Quantifiers/intensifiers3 objectives
- Pronouns9 objectives
- Verbs63 objectives
- Prepositions6 objectives
- Conjunctions3 objectives
- Number, quantity, dates and time3 objectives
- Higher Tier3 objectives
12 of 13 shown
Communication strategies22 study areas
- Communication strategies9 objectives
- Ignoring words which are not needed3 objectives
- Using the visual and verbal context6 objectives
- Making use of grammatical markers and categories3 objectives
- Making use of the social and cultural context3 objectives
- Using common patterns with French30 objectives
- Using cognates and near-cognates3 objectives
- Using cognates and near-cognates - Cognates3 objectives
- Using cognates and near-cognates - Near-cognates3 objectives
- Using common patterns between French and English48 objectives
- Near-cognates42 objectives
- Strategies for production12 objectives
12 of 22 shown
Vocabulary1 topic
Topic 33 topics
Assessment and exam guidance
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
AQA
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
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Believing certain themes only appear on specific papers (Correction: All three themes can be assessed on any of the four question papers).
- •Only practising writing skills for a specific theme (Correction: You must practise listening, speaking, reading, and writing for every theme).
- •Treating the four papers as completely separate subjects (Correction: The vocabulary and grammar learned for the themes are transferable across all four papers).
- •Only learning how to describe personal experiences using the 'je' (I) form (Correction: You must also be able to discuss other people's experiences using third-person pronouns like 'il', 'elle', 'ils', and 'elles').
- •Forgetting to include opinions alongside factual information (Correction: Always aim to justify your statements by adding personal opinions and reasons).
- •Ignoring the cultural context of Francophone countries (Correction: You must be prepared to understand texts and audio relating to communities where French is spoken, not just the UK).
- •Focusing only on one topic within the theme and neglecting the others. Correction: Ensure your revision covers all four topics and their respective sub-topics equally.
- •Assuming that cultural topics only apply to France. Correction: Remember that 'Identity and culture' encompasses customs and daily life across various French-speaking (francophone) countries.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Organise your vocabulary flashcards by the three main themes to ensure balanced revision across the whole course.
- •Practise applying the same thematic vocabulary to different skills, such as using a reading text as a model for your own writing.
- •Review past papers to see how a single theme can be adapted into a listening transcript, a speaking photo card, or a writing prompt.
- •Learn a variety of opinion phrases beyond 'j'aime' to express your views clearly and gain higher marks.
- •Practise conjugating verbs in the third person so you can confidently describe the experiences of friends, family, and people in Francophone countries.
- •Research basic cultural facts about French-speaking communities to help you understand context in the reading and listening papers.
- •Create a revision timetable that allocates specific study sessions to each of the four topics and their sub-topics within Theme 1.
- •Use mind maps to connect related vocabulary and grammatical structures for each sub-topic, such as linking family vocabulary with possessive adjectives.
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