Taking French A-level in France?

Currently I'm a student studying my AS levels. This time last year I was positive that I'd be studying French at A-levels however due to some clashes with other subjects, I couldn't take it.

However, I love the language and would really like to continue with it. There was practically an uproar at school when students and teachers heard that I had substituted beloved French for another subject (sociology for the inquisitive ones out there) - that's how much I liked the subject and was good at it. *sigh* Anyhow...
After I finish my current A-levels, I'm contemplating on taking a "gap year" kinda thing and studying French in France. Not only would I learn the language a great deal quicker, I'd also learn a lot more about the culture etc.

It seems I have this all planned out, however I have a few questions (some may seem silly but I'd really appreciate some answers :smile:

)
Would I be studying for an A-level or is there another form of qualification for that kind of thing? If the latter, would it be a globally recognised qualification which I could use here in England when applying to unis?
Also if there are people who have learnt a language abroad, how long was the course?

Apologies for the length of the post. I'd be eternally grateful if anyone could help/advise.

Reply 1

Fleece

15

You can usually choose how long you want your course to be. I studied German in Germany in my gap year and i originally booked for 8 weeks but then once i was there i booked another 4 weeks as i was enjoying it so much.

You wouldnt be working for an a-level i wouldnt think - you should just check out some schools that you'd be interested in going to, and see what qualifications they offer as a result of the course.

There may exist something like there does with German, where you can take a test at certain centres around the world, to gain a formal qualification in the language, but i dont know much about this sorry.

Reply 2

swirl

OP

Hmm... so it wouldn't be taken as an A-level? Was yours an alternative qualification or just a course that allowed you to learn the language?

It's imperative that the course I choose provides a formal qualification at least equivalent to A-levels if not an A-level itself as I'm planing to apply to uni with it. I guess it'd be wise if I speak to someone at school about this also.

Thanks for your reply. :smile:

Reply 3

Fleece

15

I wouldn't have thought so - they don't have a-levels over there.
you may be able to get a baccalaureat which would count..just check with the schools to see what quals they offer.

I got a certificate at the end of my course saying what level i'd achieved - i doubt i'd be able to use it in applying for uni - but i did put it under the "other qualifications" part of the application form. Plus they also gave you the option of whether you wanted to do that exam for the recognised qual but i d idnt see the point as i'd already been accepted into uni and had done german at a-level.

Reply 4

Da Bachtopus

12

You'd be better off persuing the DELF and DALF exams than an A-level in French. They're internationally-recognised diplmoas, and you'll find that French Universities nearly always ask for a DALF from foreign students applying there, rather than an A-level (which is lower than the top diploma anyway).

Most language schools will offer teaching packages towards these. They have recently been updated to hamonise them with the 'European frame of reference for languages', which is a system of six 'levels' of competence. Hence there are six exams, which combine to make three diplomas:

A1+A2 = DELF1
B1+B2 = DELF2
C1+C2 = DALF

DELF2 is roughly equivalent to A-level, and DALF to the first year of an undergraduate course. Thankfully, you don't have to take the easier exams to access the harder ones - you can enter straight at level B or C if you want.

I think this is the official website: http://www.ciep.fr/delfdalf/

You'd do well to actually speak to people at language schools about the exams before signing up, just to check if they do offer them, and what they think you'll need to do.

Reply 5

swirl

OP

Thanks for the information Da Bachtopus. It's been very useful. :smile:

DELF and DALF definitely sounds like something I may take. I'm wondering if this specific qualification would be accepted as the equivalent of A-levels in England though. Entry requirements for uni's state "A full A-level or equivalent is required" They don't provide an explanantion on what would be considered equivalent though. *sigh* :frown:

I guess I'll contact uni's and ask them personally if DELF/DALF suffices.

Thanks once again. You've been great help.

Reply 6

kellywood_5

17

swirl

I'm wondering if this specific qualification would be accepted as the equivalent of A-levels in England though. Entry requirements for uni's state "A full A-level or equivalent is required" They don't provide an explanantion on what would be considered equivalent though. *sigh* :frown:

I guess I'll contact uni's and ask them personally if DELF/DALF suffices.

Do you want to apply for French at uni or something else? If it's French, they're more likely to accept it because they probably know about the qualification and the level it's equivalent to.

Reply 7

Da Bachtopus

12

Why does it matter that the qualification be accepted by British universities? What course are you planning on applying for? If you're already doing three A-levels then you shouldn't have a problem, unless it's MML.

Since you've only just started AS levels, you've still got a year before you apply anywhere, and two years before you go. There's nothing to stop you persuing French yourself: you'll waste less time than you do in school, which is a grossly inefficient way of learning anything. The only problem would be making sure you yourself use the language, doing writing and speaking practice, otherwise your abilities will be limited to reading comprehension.

If what you're really concerned with is getting a qualification to apply for MML, then you could always do the French A-level in England off your own bat, either by asking your school to enter you or by entering a different centre. But I don't see why British Unis wouldn't accept DELF/DALF. It would be best to talk to them.

Reply 8

swirl

OP

Da Bachtopus

Why does it matter that the qualification be accepted by British universities? What course are you planning on applying for? If you're already doing three A-levels then you shouldn't have a problem, unless it's MML.

Because although I haven't decided for definite as of yet, I'm considering taking Eng Lit course at uni combined with a modern language (French) and to do so I need a full A-level or equivalent in the subject. I also love the language and it'd be good to have as a qualification.

Thanks for the advice. I'm still learning French in my own time; constantly listening to the French radio, reading things etc. It'd be nice if I could get a French msn contact too seeing as I practically live on msn. :redface:

Kelly, thanks for the reply also. :smile:

Appreciated.

Taking French A-level in France?

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