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Studying French at GCSE

Studying French at GCSE. Why learn a modern foreign language? Course content at GCSE Future prospects How do I choose my options?. Why opt for French?. An excellent GCSE for employers + universities. You’ve already done most of the work, its just a matter of perfecting what you know.

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Studying French at GCSE

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  1. Studying French at GCSE • Why learn a modern foreign language? • Course content at GCSE • Future prospects • How do I choose my options?

  2. Why opt for French? An excellent GCSE for employers + universities You’ve already done most of the work, its just a matter of perfecting what you know. More pay Job opportunities Number of pupils studying a language is falling, so linguists are extremely sought after Its brilliant!

  3. By taking a language at GCSE you’ll have amazing skills and a valuable talent that’s applicable to almost everything you do - so, it's quite a handy subject really. A language GCSE builds on what you’ve already learnt in years 7, 8 and 9 and you probably know more than you think. Language classes are still fun and interactive and you cover things at a slightly quicker pace, but this is good as you'll easily notice the improvements that you make in your foreign language. Plus by taking a language GCSE you don’t just learn the language, you get to find out about other people, countries and cultures so it really is an interesting and varied subject.

  4. GCSE French is a well-respected GCSE! • Some universities in England state that you have to have a GCSE in a MFL. • Cardiff business college get hundreds of applicants every year and the first thing the principle does to cut down the numbers is checks the GCSE’s to see if they can speak another language. • It’s a very ‘academic’ subject.

  5. Universities • University entrants have a better chance of getting on a languages course than in any other subject • It opens doors and creates opportunities. • It can make travel and leisure more exciting and interesting.

  6. It makes business sense • 60% of Britain’s exports go to non-English speaking countries and 20% of UK exports are adversely affected by barriers in language or cultural ignorance • Language graduates are more employable than science, business studies or ICT graduates. • Over 20% of employers say that they need employees who are more competent in languages.

  7. Course content • GCSE Course Outline • In Years 10 and 11, pupils follow the GCSE course that covers the skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. • The final examination focuses upon 2 of these skill areas only – Listening & Reading - whilst pupils gain marks for the coursework components in Speaking and Writing, which are completed over two years and which are a key feature of success at GCSE. • Pupils receive guidance and support when preparing for their coursework tasks. The course is assessed in the following way: • Listening – 20% - Examat end of year 11 • Speaking – 30% Coursework in 2 parts 1) Structured conversation 2) Presentation & discussion with teacher • Reading – 20% - Exam at end of year 11 • Writing – 30% - Controlled assessment. 2 pieces of written work required.

  8. Yippee! *There are no Written or Speaking examinations

  9. French department success • 2008 - 100% A* - C • 2009 - 95.4% A* - C, 100% A* - G • 2010 – 81% A* - C, 100% A* - G

  10. Job opportunities • Having an MFL GSCE shows you are hardworking • Can increase your salary by 8 – 20% • Not just a ‘French teacher’! – holiday rep, interpreter, work in a hotel/restaurant, travel company, business, cars, fashion, engineering, army, factory…

  11. What jobs would French be useful for? • You’ll be surprised at the amount of careers that involve Modern foreign languages • Industries as diverse as engineering, law, marketing, the media and IT need candidates with practical language skills, especially at a time when the number of students taking GCSE languages is declining.

  12. Job prospects… • Computer programmer • Credit controller • Customer support adviser • Cultural briefing consultant • Interpreter • Teacher • Language trainer • Translator • Engineering • Banking • Civil service • Travel and tourism • Secretary/PA • Marketing • Public relations • Medicine • Journalism and media • Transport and distribution • Website localiser

  13. Improves you communication skills • As French GCSE involves a lot of speaking, writing, reading and listening, it improves your communication skills! • This will help with every job!

  14. You are able to communicate in another language • People will be impressed that you can communicate in another language. • People abroad are more generous to you if you make the effort to speak their language.

  15. More chance of promotion • If you speak another language, you have more chance of being offered a promotion • You may get the opportunity to travel with your job – and get paid for it!

  16. What businesses are saying • Newport-based recruitment agency Concentric Consulting is among those calling for more bilingual and trilingual candidates after seeing a gap in the number of linguists applying for posts. • "One of our clients distributes car parts from Germany, France and Spain, while we also work with a Spanish company which distributes across the world. More and more languages candidates are needed in this area • "There is a real shortage in trilingual candidates. Companies need candidates who can speak English, Welsh and another language."

  17. Welsh companies need linguists • “Companies that are language-aware are far more likely to be successful exporters, which could lead to a great economic boom for Wales," said Professor Hagen. • "It is important for Wales companies to hire people with language skills. Any form of language learning is a very good thing. Language learning falls off in schools around the age of 14, which has been a disaster. • "We have to get more people who are language proficient in Wales. Bilingualism is a good step to internationalism."

  18. Celebs • Role models including sports stars and TV personalities have spoken of the benefits of languages skills. Wales rugby international Stephen Jones has said that continuing with French at school would have helped when he joined French team Clermont-Auvergne, while comedian Rhod Gilbert, who speaks French and Spanish, has called modern languages the "greatest asset" you can have.

  19. Do you know that these famous people speak the following languages?

  20. How do I choose my options? • Choose a balance of subjects – a language, a humanity, a creative subject • Choose subjects you can get a C grade or above in • Choose subjects you like

  21. www.whystudylanguages.ac.uk/ks4/video Video on why you should study a language

  22. Research • Now research some universities and see what their entry requirements are. • Research careers that you are interested in and see if French would be a useful qualification to have

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