- Content of year 1 of the A-level course and content of the AS course to be
co-teachable but no overlap in assessment allowed and AS will not count towards
A-level qualification.
- One text or film to be studied for AS; one text and one film or two texts for
A-level (texts and films to be set by exam boards). Students answer one question
(from a choice of two) on the text(s)/film they have studied.
- Critical thinking skills developed through critical analysis and evaluation of
texts/films.
- Independent research topic at A-level, assessed through the speaking test and an
oral presentation.
- Translation both into English and into the language of study at both AS
and A-level.
- Summarising information from spoken and written sources.
- More focus on the culture and society of the countries where the language is
spoken.
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- AS marks counting towards the A-level grade (AS is now a standalone
qualification, but it is co-teachable with the A-level).
- No language essay in the target language, other than one on the chosen set
film/text(s).
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- The qualifications count for school/college performance tables and are
recognised by UCAS for entry into higher education.
- Dictionaries may not be used when taking any assessment or during any period of
formal preparation time before the assessment.
- Speaking tests (non-exam assessment) conducted either by a teacher at the
school/college or by a visiting examiner.
The grammatical knowledge required for AS and for A-level is
broadly the same as for the current specifications.
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- The study of a set text or film at AS (either one text and one film or two texts
at A-level) is now compulsory. Literature is optional at AS, where students can
choose to study a film rather than a text.
- Greater emphasis on the culture and society of the language of study; students
can no longer write/talk about themes in a general way, eg they could previously
talk in French about homelessness in British cities.
- Both AS and A-level have two written exams and a speaking test.
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