Qualification: GCSE French (9–1)

Level: 1 & 2
Exam Board: AQA

What you learn about:

GCSE French equips students with essential language skills and cultural understanding that enhance both personal and academic life. In Years 10 and 11, learners develop confidence in spoken and written French, think critically about communication in different contexts, and connect meaningfully with the French-speaking world.

During the course, students will study:

Students explore three thematic contexts that structure learning and assessment:

• Theme 1: People and lifestyle – Covers topics like relationships, free-time activities, customs, and festivals.

• Theme 2: Popular culture – Explores media, music, and entertainment.

• Theme 3: Communication and the world around us – Includes themes such as travel, the environment, study, and employment.

Assessment:

This qualification is linear—all assessments take place at the end of the course. Students must take all four language papers at the same tier (Foundation: grades 1–5; Higher: grades 4–9).

Component	Details	Weight
Paper 1: Listening	Foundation: ~35 mins, 40 marks; Higher: ~45 mins, 50 marks	25% AQA
Paper 2: Speaking	Role-play, photo card, conversation; approx. 7–12 mins spoken + 15 mins prep; 50 marks	25% AQA
Paper 3: Reading	Comprehension and translation; Foundation: 45 mins, Higher: 1 hour; 50 marks each	25% AQA
Paper 4: Writing	Short sentences, bullet points, grammar tasks, and translation from English to French; 70–75 mins; 50 marks	25% AQA

Assessment objectives across all papers include:

• AO1: Listening and responding to spoken French

• AO2: Reading and responding to written French

• AO3: Demonstrating accurate grammar and vocabulary

Other Information:

• The tier system ensures students are assessed at an appropriate challenge level, with grade ceilings depending on tier entry.

• Vocabulary and grammar are carefully scaffolded, with the Foundation tier covering approximately 1,250 words, and the Higher tier adding about 500 more. Students may use additional language in their responses.

• AQA supports teaching and preparation through resources like schemes of work, grammar and phonics materials, past papers, examiners' reports, and Data Insights for analysing student progress.

See more here.