French

Why study this course?
This course will help with your future studies and employability, and it will also broaden your horizons.

  • Having a GCSE in French can help you stand out when applying for university and competitive courses. It’s also part of the English Baccalaureate, which many top universities and employers value as evidence of strong academic study across a range of subjects.
  • Learning French improves your communication, listening, problem-solving, creativity, and resilience—all skills that employers look for in any career.
  • French is an official language of the United Nations, European Union, NATO, the Olympics, and Eurovision. It’s also used in global industries like medicine, engineering, tourism, and fashion, so it can open exciting career opportunities worldwide!
  • In a global post-Brexit context, knowing another language is more important than ever. French is one of the top five languages identified by the British Council as essential for the UK’s economy and global influence.
  • French is spoken in 29 countries across five continents, giving you the chance to connect with a wide range of cultures and experiences.
  • Did you know that over a third of English vocabulary comes from French? Words in law, government, art, and food all have French origins—so you’re already using some French without realizing it!
  • Learning French makes you more aware of grammar rules and sentence structures, helping you get better at English at the same time.

What will I learn?

The Pearson Edexcel course covers topics that are already familiar to you, such as the family, leisure activities, places in town, holidays, school life and careers, as well as more mature themes including relationships, equality, healthy living, the environment and social media.

  • Theme 1: My personal world
  • Theme 2:Lifestyle and well-being
  • Theme 3: My neighbourhood
  • Theme 4: Media and technology
  • Theme 5: Studying and my future
  • Theme 6: Travel and tourism

 How will I be assessed?

We follow the Pearson Edexcel specification for GCSE French, with a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9). At the end of Year 11, students must take all four question papers at the same tier.

  • Paper 1: Speaking (25%) — Read aloud, role-play, picture-based task and general conversation
  • Paper 2: Listening and Understanding (25%) — Listening comprehension and dictation
  • Paper 3: Reading and Understanding (25%) — Reading comprehension and translation from French into English
  • Paper 4: Writing (25%) — Picture-based task (Foundation only), two written responses and translation from English into French

 

Where can this course lead to after Key Stage 4?

  • A level French

The French GCSE course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to progress to further studies. It also develops transferable skills that are valued across a wide range of careers, including business, commerce, engineering, fashion, science, and tourism.

To find out more information:

For more information, please contact Sandra Ward, sward@wreake.bepschools.org
or look on the Pearson exam board website: Pearson Edexcel GCSE French (2024) | Pearson qualifications