is it worth taking another a level privately (a level french)

5

I recently started year 12 and I'm taking 3 a levels at sixth form. When it came to picking my a levels I was torn between either french or english literature.
The sixth form I ended up going to is quite small and so there is only one class per subject with strict option blocks and if I had chosen to do French at sixth form I would have not been able to take history which was non-negotiable for me as I've been pretty much set on doing history a level since I was about 7 and history is probably the subject I'm interested in doing for a degree or I may take a course that requires similar skills to history such as law. Therefore, I was unable to take french a level.
I've since learned about taking a levels privately and was wondering if anyone would know how to start this and whether it would actually be worthwhile.
I really like learning languages and at one point at secondary was taking classes in 4 but French was the one I ultimately decided to take at GCSE. I'm not a native speaker and before school had no prior experience.
I know that taking 4 a levels is sometimes seen as a lot of effort for no reason when UCAS only takes account of 3 of your grades (I've heard) but I'm looking for people's opinions

Reply 1

Scotland Yard

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by aimessigma

I recently started year 12 and I'm taking 3 a levels at sixth form. When it came to picking my a levels I was torn between either french or english literature.
The sixth form I ended up going to is quite small and so there is only one class per subject with strict option blocks and if I had chosen to do French at sixth form I would have not been able to take history which was non-negotiable for me as I've been pretty much set on doing history a level since I was about 7 and history is probably the subject I'm interested in doing for a degree or I may take a course that requires similar skills to history such as law. Therefore, I was unable to take french a level.
I've since learned about taking a levels privately and was wondering if anyone would know how to start this and whether it would actually be worthwhile.
I really like learning languages and at one point at secondary was taking classes in 4 but French was the one I ultimately decided to take at GCSE. I'm not a native speaker and before school had no prior experience.
I know that taking 4 a levels is sometimes seen as a lot of effort for no reason when UCAS only takes account of 3 of your grades (I've heard) but I'm looking for people's opinions

I wouldn't do it. It's not worth it for university, you'll be working more, and your overall performance is likely to suffer, which won't be good for applying to uni. If you want to learn French, by all means go for it, but I think best to do it outside of an A-level framework so you can park it aside once the pressure for your A-levels rises.

Reply 2

noori07

6

Original post

by aimessigma

I recently started year 12 and I'm taking 3 a levels at sixth form. When it came to picking my a levels I was torn between either french or english literature.
The sixth form I ended up going to is quite small and so there is only one class per subject with strict option blocks and if I had chosen to do French at sixth form I would have not been able to take history which was non-negotiable for me as I've been pretty much set on doing history a level since I was about 7 and history is probably the subject I'm interested in doing for a degree or I may take a course that requires similar skills to history such as law. Therefore, I was unable to take french a level.
I've since learned about taking a levels privately and was wondering if anyone would know how to start this and whether it would actually be worthwhile.
I really like learning languages and at one point at secondary was taking classes in 4 but French was the one I ultimately decided to take at GCSE. I'm not a native speaker and before school had no prior experience.
I know that taking 4 a levels is sometimes seen as a lot of effort for no reason when UCAS only takes account of 3 of your grades (I've heard) but I'm looking for people's opinions

Hi! Sorry to hear this, it's a shame to have to give up studying french. I was in a similar position to you! I needed to take bio and chem for my uni course but due to clashes I couldn't study french as well, so I decided to go to another college instead of my sixth form. I'm so glad it worked out like that because my college turned out to be fantastic. I understand that it's a month into the year now but I wouldn't give up just yet. I'm not sure if it's possible but how about talking to your school about dropping a subject (so you are studying at school) and then privately booking/ studying for your French A level. One student in my class did 3 A levels and AS French so that in year 13 she'd already done french and only had 3. I know that it was really difficult but she managed it. Honestly, I do think 4 A levels is too much but of course if you think you're capable give it a go! Also there's no reason you couldn't just study french as a hobby instead. Hope this helps and best of luck :smile:

Reply 3

hope99ly_

5

Original post

by aimessigma

I recently started year 12 and I'm taking 3 a levels at sixth form. When it came to picking my a levels I was torn between either french or english literature.
The sixth form I ended up going to is quite small and so there is only one class per subject with strict option blocks and if I had chosen to do French at sixth form I would have not been able to take history which was non-negotiable for me as I've been pretty much set on doing history a level since I was about 7 and history is probably the subject I'm interested in doing for a degree or I may take a course that requires similar skills to history such as law. Therefore, I was unable to take french a level.
I've since learned about taking a levels privately and was wondering if anyone would know how to start this and whether it would actually be worthwhile.
I really like learning languages and at one point at secondary was taking classes in 4 but French was the one I ultimately decided to take at GCSE. I'm not a native speaker and before school had no prior experience.
I know that taking 4 a levels is sometimes seen as a lot of effort for no reason when UCAS only takes account of 3 of your grades (I've heard) but I'm looking for people's opinions

Hi I’m doing french (not native). I truly do not recommend it, you’re gonna go through a lot for nothing. The grade boundaries are usually tremendous, the resources are already scarce for A level so let alone doing it privately. It really is a bit complex, you already have other subjects to focus on. I wish I picked a 4th subject but I would definitely not pick French. Try and pick a different subject cause in all honesty 4 subjects is viewed better than 3. Best of luck

Reply 4

Muttley79

20

Original post

by noori07

Hi! Sorry to hear this, it's a shame to have to give up studying french. I was in a similar position to you! I needed to take bio and chem for my uni course but due to clashes I couldn't study french as well, so I decided to go to another college instead of my sixth form. I'm so glad it worked out like that because my college turned out to be fantastic. I understand that it's a month into the year now but I wouldn't give up just yet. I'm not sure if it's possible but how about talking to your school about dropping a subject (so you are studying at school) and then privately booking/ studying for your French A level. One student in my class did 3 A levels and AS French so that in year 13 she'd already done french and only had 3. I know that it was really difficult but she managed it. Honestly, I do think 4 A levels is too much but of course if you think you're capable give it a go! Also there's no reason you couldn't just study french as a hobby instead. Hope this helps and best of luck :smile:

The OP can't drop one of their three A levels at school as they won't then count as a full-time student.

Reply 5

thegeek888

18

Original post

by aimessigma

I recently started year 12 and I'm taking 3 a levels at sixth form. When it came to picking my a levels I was torn between either french or english literature.
The sixth form I ended up going to is quite small and so there is only one class per subject with strict option blocks and if I had chosen to do French at sixth form I would have not been able to take history which was non-negotiable for me as I've been pretty much set on doing history a level since I was about 7 and history is probably the subject I'm interested in doing for a degree or I may take a course that requires similar skills to history such as law. Therefore, I was unable to take french a level.
I've since learned about taking a levels privately and was wondering if anyone would know how to start this and whether it would actually be worthwhile.
I really like learning languages and at one point at secondary was taking classes in 4 but French was the one I ultimately decided to take at GCSE. I'm not a native speaker and before school had no prior experience.
I know that taking 4 a levels is sometimes seen as a lot of effort for no reason when UCAS only takes account of 3 of your grades (I've heard) but I'm looking for people's opinions

A-Level French can be mastered in 3 to 4 months. But the real problem is applying one's knowledge to the exams.

Because for AQA there is a 2 hour 30 minutes: "Listening, Reading and Writing" exam. It is not too difficult to gain a B grade but an A grade involves more effort with the rules of grammar and vocabulary. Moreover, the A* is about 80% to 90% but the A grade is usually 65% to 75%. It is well worth studying. Because the most popular option for the film is "La Haine" and novel: "No et Moi," and it is much like A-Level English Literature with the analysis of the film and novel. But each essay only requires 300 words in French. So, it is not too difficult. Last but not least the Speaking exam is not too difficult with past paper practice but there is an Independent Research Project (IRP) and that involves a fair bit of work. However, overall you should manage a minimum of a B, a likely A and perhaps an A* grade with exam technique practice.

I much prefer A-Level Spanish as A-Level Spanish is much easier to learn. 😀 lol However, A-Level French is more respected.

One thing to note is, if your school does not offer the audio CD files from Kerboodle for AQA A-Level French or the Hodder Education Audio CD files, then it will be a nightmare studying for the exams. However, Hodder Education publish their written answers for free on their website. 🙂

So, you're studying A-Level History and what else? Because A-Level French content can be studied in 1.5 months for the Listening, Reading and Writing Paper 1 with a 2 hour 30 mins exam. Paper 2 is just 2 x 300 words essays of a novel and film and Paper 3 is worth 30% with an IRP and Oral exam.

Only do the A-Level in French if you get a tutor or support from your school/6th form. Because the problem I had was because I am mature student I had to buy the audio CDs and they cost £100+ each for French and Spanish and Hodder is £100 or so each but for the full A-Level.

All in all, a B is comfortably achieveable in A-Level AQA French with just 55% but with hard work and effort you would more likely achieve an A grade, which is just 65% to 75% but the A* grade is 76% to 89% or higher.

A tutor would cost £30 to £45 per lesson, but they're sure to boost your grade to an A grade or even A* grade. 🙂

(edited 2 weeks ago)

is it worth taking another a level privately (a level french)

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