AS and A-Level
A-Level French preparation, where the marks actually are.
Essays on film and literature, translation in both directions, and a speaking examination built around a research project. Each is a distinct discipline, and each is taught as one.
Start here
The jump from GCSE is a jump in method.
A-Level French asks for analytical essays written in French about a film and a literary text, for accurate translation in both directions, and for a spoken examination in which the candidate presents and defends independent research. Pupils who arrive with strong GCSE French and no essay method find the first year hard for reasons that have nothing to do with vocabulary.
Preparation therefore runs on two tracks at once: the language — register, complexity, accuracy — and the discipline of argument, structured to what the examiner's grid rewards.
The components
Prepared separately, with the essay and the oral usually the highest-yield.
- Film and literature essays
- Argument, structure, textual evidence and register. Essays marked against the board's criteria and rewritten, because a returned mark on its own teaches very little.
- Translation into English
- Precision, idiom and the discipline of not paraphrasing away the marks.
- Translation into French
- Where accuracy shows up ruthlessly. Targeted grammar work on the structures the papers repeatedly test.
- Listening and reading
- Longer, denser and faster than GCSE, with summary tasks in French that carry their own technique.
- The independent research project
- Choosing a subject that can sustain a defence, gathering usable sources, and preparing to be questioned on it rather than to recite it.
- The speaking examination
- Theme discussion and IRP presentation and defence, rehearsed under timed conditions with a specialist.
Beyond the grade
Sixth-form French frequently sits inside a bigger plan.
- University applications
- Support for candidates whose personal statement or admissions interview depends on the subject, alongside the examination itself.
- Predicted grades
- Where a predicted grade is at risk, work is planned around the school's internal assessment calendar as well as the summer series.
- Continuing past A-Level
- Some candidates add DELF B2 or DALF C1 to hold a lifelong diploma alongside the school qualification.
Preparation
How A-Level French preparation runs.
Every programme opens with a diagnostic: a written task and a spoken task marked against the criteria of the examination itself, not against a general sense of level. That is what tells us whether the gap is language, technique, or exam literacy — and they are prepared for very differently.
The specialist is matched from our network for that examination and that candidate, with a chemistry call before you commit, a review at week six, and oversight through to the exam date.
- Board, set film and set text confirmed before the plan is written.
- An essay and a translation marked to the criteria in the first fortnight.
- Essay method taught explicitly, then practised under time.
- Translation drilled against the recurring structures.
- IRP shaped early, with the defence rehearsed, not improvised.
- Speaking rehearsed with a specialist through the year.
Two ways to prepare
Private A-Level French preparation, or a small cohort.
One candidate, one paper, one date.
A specialist matched from our network for A-Level French, a programme written around your actual gaps, and scheduling that fits around school or work.
From £89/hr
See the investmentNo A-Level French cohort is open yet
Group exam terms run only where enough candidates share the same examination and level — we do not advertise cohorts that are not scheduled. Tell us what you are sitting on the form below and you will hear first when one is timetabled.
Register your interestThe evidence
What A-Level French candidates and their families say.
Verified Google reviews from Learn&Co candidates who prepared for A-Level French with us.
“Maria is such an inspiring and amazing tutor who helped me to achieve a high A in my French A-Level, something which I thought would never be possible. She always knew exactly which areas I needed to focus on in order to improve (something…”
“My son needed 3 As for his conditional offer for Oxford University and French was the weak link. We had had a tutor who just taught him general French. We chose Maria because she seemed to know more about what was needed for A-level. She…”
“Couldn't recommend Maria more. We worked together for two years on my Spanish and French A Level, and she helped me get the grades I didn't think were possible! She knows how to adapt her lessons to suit each student and keep them engaged…”
“Maria has been helping me learn Spanish this year and has also taught me French for a few years now. I have consistently received top grades (at A-Level and in university) because of her help. She provides lots of support and makes…”
“Maria is a superb, dedicated and gifted tutor with a meticulous approach to exam preparation--I cannot praise her highly enough. She worked with my sons in the month’s coming up to their French A levels –and worked miracles. She has a…”
“Maria helped me A level French and Spanish, and was especially helpful in improving my essays. I am now going to study French and Spanish at Cambridge next year after she helped me to get A*s in both subjects, I would definitely recommend…”
“I had a great experience with this tutoring agency. My tutor was very good and helped me to get an A* in my French a level. They have very good resources and my tutor offered me great support. I highly recommend this agency.”
Posted on Google
“To all those searching for a French tutor, I cannot recommend Maria Toubbe highly enough. She turned my French A2 around and got me from a low B to an A* on results day. She is absolutely brilliant and works wonders”
Posted on Google
“The lessons helped me so much in preparation for my French A-Level and I ended up receiving an A* in my French exam! I definitely recommend Maria for anyone studying French!”
Posted on Google
Who we prepare
Trusted by families, schools and organisations.
A-Level French candidates reach us from two directions: pupils in schools that expect a grade, and adults whose next step depends on a certificate. Both are prepared by a specialist matched from our network.
Corporate clients
Professionals sitting language tests and diplomas
Employees at these organisations have prepared with us for language tests, official diplomas and the requirements attached to a move abroad.
Partner schools
Pupils preparing for school examinations
Pupils at these schools have prepared with us for French papers, against the specification their school actually follows.
Investment
What A-Level French preparation costs.
Private preparation is bought as hours, used at the pace the exam date demands. The more hours you commit to, the lower the effective hourly rate — and every plan carries the identical service.
Hours of private exam preparation, delivered online and typically used at one hour a week. All prices include VAT. Face-to-face lessons in London, intensive revision courses and additional hours are quoted individually.
Flexi
4 hours
Month to month
£105/hr£420 in total
Discovery
12 hours
Up to 3 months
£100/hr£1,197 in total
Momentum
24 hours
Up to 6 months
£95/hr£2,268 in total
Mastery
48 hours
Up to 12 months
£89/hr£4,284 in total
Every private plan, whichever you choose, includes
Bespoke programmes — not lesson bundles.
- Exam and board diagnostic
- Specialist matched for that qualification
- Chemistry call before you commit
- Programme dated to the exam
- Marked past-paper practice
- Monthly progress reports
- Week-six review
- Timed mocks in the run-in
£950 for a ten-week term
Per learner, 10 × 90-minute sessions — 15 teaching hours. Including VAT. Maximum six candidates, one exam objective, one level.
A-Level French enquiry
Tell us the board, the set works and the exam year.
Phone number required. We will come back with a view of where the marks are currently going and the specialist we would match for that specification.
Everything you send goes straight to Maria. We reply personally, usually the same working day.
Before you book
A-Level French — your questions, answered.
- Can you help with the film and literature essays specifically?
- Yes, and it is the most common reason candidates come to us. Essay method in French is a taught skill, and marked-and-rewritten work moves grades faster than anything else at this level.
- What about the independent research project?
- We help choose a subject that will survive questioning, build the source base, and rehearse the defence under timed conditions.
- My child got a 9 at GCSE but is struggling at AS. Why?
- Almost always method rather than language. The examination now asks for sustained analytical argument in French, which GCSE never required.
- Do you support university applications?
- Where French is central to the application, yes — alongside examination preparation rather than instead of it.
- How intensive should preparation be?
- One weekly lesson through the year suits most candidates; more where an essay grade needs to move quickly or a resit is in play. We give a straight recommendation after marked work.
- Should we add DELF or DALF?
- It can be worth it, because the diploma does not expire and is recognised independently of the school system. Our DELF and DALF page explains the levels.
Preparing for a different examination?
Each qualification has its own format, its own marking and its own timetable. Choose the one you are sitting and we will show you exactly how it is prepared for.
Prefer to talk it through?
Schedule a chat with Maria.
Tell us which A-Level French route you are on, where you are now and when you sit. You will get an honest view of the gap and which specialist we would match you with.
Maria Toubbe
- 20 minutes
- A conversation, not a sales call.
- With Maria
- Our founder, every time — not a call centre.
- No obligation
- Advice you can use even if you never book.
20 min · video call · free
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