Text Box: AS/ ‘A’  LEVEL FRENCH & SPANISH Text Box: Entry Requirements  -  5 grade A-C at GCSE and a GCSE Grade B or better  in a Language.   The European Union has created a huge demand for young people with foreign language skills.  The British Overseas Trade Board (BOTB) has drawn attention to the importance of conducting negotiations in the language of the customer and industry and commerce as displaying a growing awareness of the value of foreign languages.  The time is, therefore, particularly opportune for students to begin an ‘A’ Level Language course.   An ‘A’ Level in a Modern Foreign Language enables students to progress from GCSE standard to a level where they have the necessary language skills to understand advanced spoken and written French and Spanish from a wide variety of sources and communicate with confidence orally and in writing.   Students will use: · A wide variety of authentic spoken and written materials. · Radio and TV programmes, especially current affairs and news items, satellite TV, internet, e-mail and video conferencing (in the fullness of time). · Films (visits to Pictureville) · Newspapers and magazines   They will be expected to spend a proportion of their own time in personal study and follow-up topics using the materials and resources available to develop and broaden their language skills.   Modules of work to be covered in all languages include:   Year 12 – AS Level     (a) Leisure, including tourism and travel, sport, hobbies and entertainment. (b) Education, including Schools (primary and secondary), further education, higher education, training and careers. (c) Social issues, including relationships, problems of young people, gender issues drugs and aids.   Year 13 – A2                            All the AS topics as well as the following: (d) Contemporary France and other French-speaking countries, including current affairs, EU, world of work, employment/unemployment, immigration. (e) Media, including newspapers, radio and television, advertising and new media. (f) Environmental issues, including energy, conservation, pollution and transport.   Students who are offered the opportunity to take 4 ‘AS’ Levels in Year 12 (plus General Studies) should consider taking a Modern Foreign Language for one year to ‘AS’ level.  Many universities and employers give credit to those students who take a language subject beyond GCSE.