A2 French- Are there any MFL teachers who could advise?

[LakeDistrict2014]

My daughter has been awarded a C at AS level. The teaching at AS level has been very poor, with some topics not even covered. If she chooses to take French to A2 level she will need a B to get into her uni course.

Basically what I want to know is what could she do to improve the grade? Will she be able to cope with resitting all her AS modules? Might it strengthen her A2 work?

We really need to make a decision as to whether she continues with French so would love some input.

[paulkal]

As the teaching in school has been poor, I would say that you would be well advised to get a French tutor. Only then will your daughter be able to effectively improve her grade. A good tutor will assess her strengths and weaknesses and ensure that your daughter is supported in the aspects of the language she needs most help with. You will be able to talk to the tutor after each class and find out whether the methods used are working for your daughter. You can then decide whether you continue employing the tutor or get another one whose methods are more suitable. It's a win-win situation whatever happens, as it's the only way your daughter will experience any significant improvement in the time she has available.

[manofsponge]

Sadly mod lang teaching is so poor in many schools. Kids hate mod langs as a result

[LakeDistrict2014]

Thanks Paulkal - what is your opinion of online tutors as our nearest French tutor is 25 miles away? Is there a big jump in difficulty from AS to A2?

[LakeDistrict2014]

However we are willing to travel 25 miles. Would one hour a week be enough to start?

[Tisy10]

It depends which bits if the AS she did less well on. I regularly find though that it clicks in place during the A2 course - particularly if the cultural topics chosen are interesting- but I would also say that it is almost certainly that it's an issue with grammar and 'sounding too English'. These are things that can be worked on and dramatically improved.
Is there a French assistant at her school who can help/ give extra tuition? Where are you based? It might be that one of us French teachers know someone who can help

[LakeDistrict2014]

Tisy10 - I think you are right regarding the grammar as this was flagged up in her Christmas report. She was very nervous for her speaking task and this no doubt affected her mark. Her pronunciation is good. Unfortunately she got a C in her listening, speaking and written paper.

The French assistant's English was not good enough to explain the grammar, even though my daughter did ask her questions. They had only done two listening practices before the AS one. The teacher just opens the text book and gets them to do an exercise. There seems to be no lesson planning of any sort.

It is so good to hear that the grammar could be dramatically improved. We are in Northern Ireland so I doubt anyone will be able to suggest a good tutor but thank you so much for taking the time to help.

[Tisy10]

Ok. If it's the grammar you need to get her a good book to work through. The élan grammar book with cd is very good (and has the answers so you can check). I also suggest you subscribe to Frenchteacher.net (£25) as it has loads of grammar exercises aimed at as/a2 level. For listening, google news in slow French and try zut.org.uk. It's free after 4pm. They have loads of listening exercises on topical issues. Use the French assistant for speaking practice to build confidence in speaking. It is possible to redo the as as well as the a2. Many students do this and find they do hugely better as they have improved their skills and confidence in the a2 year.

[LakeDistrict2014]

Thanks Tisy - I have sent you a pm - hope you don't mind

[Tisy10]

I don't mind at all. I've replied.