Those of you studying for a GCSE oral test this spring would be most impressed by how quickly you can build on those existing skills and become a confident, knowledgeable and accomplished speaker just a few months later on an A level course. This hit home to eight students in Year 12 who took part in a French debate against UCS on issues related to topics covered on the A level specifcation. One was "18 year olds in France should do a compulsory period of voluntary work" and the other "tangible heritage - like monuments and buildings - is more important than intangible heritage - like dance, cuisine and rituals". Students had to prepare for both sides of each debate and a last minute toss of a coin determined what side they had to argue for. 

They did a great job preparing and supporting each other in the debate, which showcased a remarkable amount of understanding of Francophone issues and cultures as well as the fluency and poise that comes from just a few months on the French course. 

The students who took part are studying towards a mix of A level subjects, both STEM and humanities as well as languages, and will be making very diverse applications to universities. A language at A level is a great complement to any subject combination and is highly valued by universities and employers alike both for its academic content and transferable employability skills.