AQA A-Level Polish
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Explore your topics
26 study areas
Social issues and trends4 topics
Political and artistic culture4 topics
Grammar11 topics
Works: literary texts and films3 topics
About this course
About AQA A-Level Polish
The AQA A-Level Polish course immerses you in the language, culture, and contemporary issues of Poland and Polish-speaking communities. You will develop advanced listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills while exploring themes such as social issues, political and artistic culture, and literary texts or films. The specification is linear, meaning you sit all exams at the end of the two-year course, with the option to take AS after one year.
The course is structured around four core themes: Aspects of Polish-speaking society (current trends and issues), Artistic culture in the Polish-speaking world, Multiculturalism in Polish-speaking society, and Aspects of political life in the Polish-speaking world. You will also study either one literary text and one film or two literary texts, deepening your analytical and critical skills in Polish.
Assessment Structure
AQA A-Level Polish is assessed through three written papers and one speaking exam, all taken at the end of the course. Paper 1 (Listening, Reading and Writing) is worth 40% of the A-Level and lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. Paper 2 (Writing) is worth 30% and lasts 2 hours, covering the literary texts or film you have studied. Paper 3 (Speaking) is worth 30% and consists of a 21-23 minute oral exam including a discussion of a sub-theme and a presentation and discussion of your individual research project. There is no coursework; all assessment is exam-based.
Why Choose AQA?
- AQA offers a well-structured and widely recognised specification for Polish, with clear themes and assessment objectives that align with other A-Level languages, making it easier to transfer skills.
- AQA provides a comprehensive range of support materials, including past papers, mark schemes, and exemplar answers, which are invaluable for revision and understanding exam expectations.
- The board's linear structure allows you to focus on developing your language skills holistically over two years without the pressure of modular exams, and the individual research project in the speaking exam lets you explore a topic of personal interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades do I need to take AQA A-Level Polish?
Is AQA A-Level Polish harder than GCSE?
What literary texts and films can I study for AQA A-Level Polish?
How is the speaking exam structured for AQA A-Level Polish?
Can I take AQA A-Level Polish if I am a native speaker?
Assessment and exam guidance
What Gets Top Grades
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
Give a single fact or term
Name, select, or recognise
Set out main features briefly
Give an account of what something is like or what happens
Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains
State similarities AND differences (both required)
Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains
Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion
Make judgments about importance with justification
Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units
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