IGCSE French at Brampton College: Speak with Confidence, Connect with Culture, Succeed Globally
Would you like to learn a new language and explore a new culture? Do you want to become a confident communicator, ready to explore the Francophone world?
At Brampton College in London, our Edexcel IGCSE French course (4FR0) offers an immersive one-year programme designed to develop your spoken and written fluency, deepen your grammatical understanding, and build a strong foundation for future language study. Whether you are preparing for A Level French, planning to travel, or aiming for university entry, IGCSE French opens doors, both linguistically and culturally.
You’ll learn to speak and write French accurately and spontaneously, while also exploring authentic materials, contemporary themes, and real-life scenarios that bring the language to life.
Why Study IGCSE French at Brampton College?
Communicate Confidently in a Global Language.
French is spoken by over 300 million people worldwide. You’ll develop the ability to communicate effectively in both speech and writing, across a range of everyday topics and academic themes.
Immerse Yourself in French Culture
From film and food to fashion and festivals, you’ll gain insights into the cultural identity and traditions of French-speaking countries, helping you become a more empathetic and globally aware learner.
Fast-Track, One-Year Intensive Course
Ideal for students retaking, switching schools, or accelerating towards A Level French, our intensive IGCSE programme helps learners achieve fluency and exam success within a single academic year.
Expert Teaching in Small Groups
Learn in small, supportive classes, led by experienced native or fluent French speakers. Every student receives personalised feedback, targeted exam preparation, and access to a range of interactive resources.
What You’ll Study: IGCSE French Course Overview (Edexcel 4FR0) Key Learning Areas:
● Grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure
● Expressing opinions and responding to different situations
● Understanding spoken French at natural speed
● Reading and interpreting a variety of French texts
● Producing structured writing for specific audiences and purposes
The Five Thematic Areas:
1. Home and Abroad (travel, local area, tourism)
2. Education and Employment (school life, jobs, future plans)
3. Personal Life and Relationships (family, friends, lifestyle)
4. The World Around Us (environment, media, technology)
5. Social Activities, Fitness and Health (leisure, sport, wellbeing)
Assessment and Exam Structure:
Paper 1: Listening and Understanding
Duration: 35 minutes (plus 5 minutes reading time)
Weighting: 25% of final grade
Paper Code: 4FR0/01
Students respond to a series of recorded audio texts featuring male and female speakers in public, social, and educational settings. Tasks include multiple choice, matching, and short written responses.
Paper 2: Reading and Writing Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Weighting: 50% of final grade (25% reading, 25% writing)
Paper Code: 4FR0/02
Reading Section:
Students answer questions based on authentic written texts such as letters, emails, advertisements, news articles, and literature extracts.
Writing Section:
● Task 1: A short paragraph (60–75 words) using 4 target phrases
● Task 2: A longer piece (130–150 words) from a choice of three questions
● Task 3: A grammar-based task, modifying verbs and adjectives in context
Paper 3: Speaking in French Duration: 10 minutes
Weighting: 25% of final grade
Paper Code: 4FR0/03
Conducted internally and externally assessed.
Speaking Tasks Include:
● Section A: Picture-based discussion, students choose an image related to one of the topic areas and answer 5 structured questions.
● Section B: Two conversations on randomly selected topics from the syllabus.
How You’ll Learn at Brampton College Classroom Experience
● Small group sizes for maximum speaking time
● Interactive lessons using games, quizzes, and role plays
● Grammar instruction integrated with real-life communication
● Use of authentic French media, news, podcasts, songs, and films
Resources Provided
● Edexcel-approved textbooks and vocabulary lists
● Access to the College VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)
● Online grammar and vocabulary platforms
● Past paper practice and speaking guides
Students are encouraged to develop independent learning habits, use French beyond the classroom, and immerse themselves in the language through regular self-study.
Skills You’ll Build
Studying IGCSE French at Brampton helps develop:
● Fluent, accurate speaking and pronunciation
● Reading comprehension of varied French texts
● Listening at near-native speed with clear understanding
● Structured, expressive writing in multiple formats
● Confident grammar usage and sentence construction
● Cultural sensitivity and international awareness
These skills support further study at A Level, entry to UK universities, and real-world communication in business, travel, international relations, and more.
Who Should Take IGCSE French?
This course is ideal for students who:
● Wish to progress to A Level French
● Are applying to UK universities and need a modern language qualification
● Plan to work or study abroad
● Enjoy learning about language, culture, and global citizenship
● Want to improve their grade from a previous GCSE attempt
● Are international students needing a UK-recognised qualification
Future Opportunities with IGCSE French
A high grade in IGCSE French opens the door to:
● A Level French and Modern Languages degrees
● Law, Politics, and International Relations
● Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management
● Translation, Interpretation, and Linguistics
● Marketing, Journalism, and Diplomacy
● NGOs and Global Humanitarian Work
Our IGCSE French students have gone on to excel at top UK universities including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Durham, and LSE, often combining French with other subjects such as History, Economics, or Politics.
French is a gateway to global communication, cultural fluency, and international careers.