Sixth Form Subject Guide 2019-2021 REDRAFTED Sixth Form Choices Guide | Page 43

IB French A (Higher and Standard Level) HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Mrs A Watt ([email protected]) Entry Requirements Where next? Grade B in IGCSE French or equivalent Linguists are in constant demand and French - and the same is true for any Modern Language - is now viewed by universities as a facilitating subject, which means that it will help you with whatever subject you ultimately choose to study, and whatever career you take. Linguists are trained to think structurally, to express themselves articulately and present focused arguments, which are skills that employers seek and value highly. Language graduates are sought after by employers not merely for their linguistic skills, but for the intellectual rigour and cultural understanding which their course has offered. Young people with language skills are in short demand and so by taking a language you place yourself in an advantageous position in the job market. Furthermore, having spent a year abroad makes you a more mature, adaptable and independent individual. According to recruitment consultants, a language can add 10 – 15% to your salary and most language graduates do jobs where languages are advantageous but not central to their work. Furthermore linguists have the lowest unemployment rates overall, (outdone only by medicine and law). They find their way into a wide range of jobs – including banks and other financial institutions, the travel and hospitality business, the media including journalism, advertising, PR, retail, education, charities, international organisations and many others. About 10% choose to work abroad, mostly in commercial and business areas. WHAT WILL I STUDY? IB French covers 5 main themes, Identity, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation & Sharing the Planet. HOW IS THE COURSE ASSESSED? The course is examined at the end of the 2 year linear course and consists of 70% External Assessment and 30% Internal Assessment External Assessment: Paper 1, writing (1hr 15mins, SL, 1hr 30 mins, HL 25%), Paper 2 Listening & Reading (1hr, 45mins, SL, 2hr, HL 50%) Internal Assessment: Individual Oral, (10mins, 25%), which is based on a stimulus picture 42