Exam Review: Higher Level French

The French exam was generally well-balanced, accessible, and in line with students’ expectations. Several anticipated topics featured prominently in the written section, while the reading comprehension focused on familiar themes such as travel, the environment, and accommodation. Students were particularly pleased to encounter predicted opinion-piece topics, including the housing crisis, artificial intelligence, and fast fashion.

The written paper offered a broad range of options, allowing students of varying abilities and interests to engage confidently with the examination. In Question 1 (60 marks), students could choose to discuss their desire to travel, propose solutions to the housing crisis, or write a récit centred on asking someone for a chance or opportunity. Questions 2–6 (40 marks) provided further choice and flexibility. The diary-entry question included some specialised vocabulary relating to driving lessons, which may have posed a challenge for some candidates. Question 4 invited students to reflect on young people and fast fashion, a well-anticipated topic that was likely to resonate with many. Question 5 featured the eagerly awaited topic of artificial intelligence, which students were pleased to see appear on the paper. The final written question was a friendly and accessible question focused on the importance of learning foreign languages.

The reading comprehensions were approachable and interesting. The first text, a journalistic article about young people travelling by air, incorporated relevant vocabulary linked to travel, holidays, and environmental issues. The second comprehension, a literary extract, followed a woman who decides to rent a room in her apartment. This passage featured vocabulary related to accommodation and assessed students’ ability to interpret interactions through dialogue and body language. While a small number of questions may have required careful consideration, the overall style and format remained consistent with those encountered in previous exam papers.

The listening comprehension consisted of five sections and addressed familiar topics including work, food, culture, education, immigration, and sport. While some sections featured more specialised vocabulary that may have challenged certain students, the overall content remained accessible and reflected themes commonly encountered throughout the course.

Overall, the paper was well received by students. It incorporated several anticipated topics and presented them in a clear and accessible manner.