ab initio
Bienvenue !
On this page, you’ll find:
- a brief description of the course
- the themes you’ll study
- the exam papers
- how the assessment works
From here, you can navigate to the section you need – whether that’s detailed information about a specific exam paper, advice on how to revise, or a deeper breakdown of the themes.
The course
French Ab Initio is designed for complete beginners or students with little prior French. Over two years, you’ll build a solid foundation in the language while learning how to communicate about everyday situations. The course focuses on practical language use, cultural awareness, and developing confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
You’ll study five prescribed themes, each containing a range of real-world topics.
The 5 themes
1 – Identities
Explore the nature of the self and what it is to be human.
Lifestyles • Health and well-being • Beliefs and values • Subcultures • Language and identity
2 – Experiences
Explore and tell the stories of the events, experiences and journeys that shape our lives.
Leisure activities • Holidays and travel • Life stories • Rites of passage • Customs and traditions • Migration
3 – Human Ingenuity
Explore the ways in which human creativity and innovation affect our world.
Entertainment • Artistic expressions • Communication and media • Technology • Scientific innovation
4 – Social Organisation
Explore the ways in which groups of people organize themselves, or are organized, through common systems or interests
Social relationships • Community • Rules and norms • Social engagement • Education • The working world • Law and order
5 – Sharing the Planet
Explore the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals and communities in the modern world.
The environment • Human rights • Peace and conflict • Equality • Globalization • Ethics • Urban and rural
environment
The exam papers
The qualification is assessed through three components at the end of the course.