Kilo Lingo

French · A-level

A-level French phrases, theme by theme

41 sets of 383 phrases for the A-level French themes: the language of argument, opinion and evidence that an essay or a discussion needs, in the order the course teaches it. The 1 set from the first two chapters is here in full, with a drill at the bottom of the page; the rest open in the course with Plus.

Advanced core words

Advanced core words (1 of 12)

Firstly, secondly, in conclusion

The signposts that stop an essay reading like a shopping list.
9 phrases

An essay needs a way in, links between points and a way out. These sentences open, add, contrast and conclude, so your reader always knows where they are.

FrenchEnglish
, .To begin with, we need to define the problem.
, .Furthermore, the economic consequences should be examined.
.Even the experts admit that it's a complex subject.
, .As for education, the situation is serious.
, .It affects not only young people but their families too.
, ; , .On the one hand, the idea is attractive; on the other, it's very expensive.
, .Unfortunately, there's no simple solution.
, .In conclusion, I think change is necessary.
, .In the end, we all bear some of the responsibility.
Learn it in the lesson

AS themes

A-level themes

Set works and research project

Drill a set

Pick a set: what each phrase means, then the other way round, then the missing word. Ten questions a round.

Firstly, secondly, in conclusion

10-question session

One question at a time: what each phrase means, the other way round, and the missing word in a real sentence. Miss one and it comes back round before the end. There are 27 in all: practise more afterwards if you want them.

Learn them where they belong

The French A-level course teaches each set just after the words it is built from, with drills that remember what you already know.

Start the A-level course

Questions

Do set phrases get marks at A-level French?

Only when they carry an argument. Examiners reward language that is accurate, varied and doing a job; a stock opener bolted onto a thin point earns nothing. Learn these as frames for your own ideas, not as a script.

Why are some sets locked?

Each set is a lesson in the course, and chapters 1 and 2 of every course are completely free, forever. From chapter 3 the lessons are part of Kilo Lingo Plus, so the page names those sets and links to their lessons rather than printing them.

Should I learn phrases or single words?

Both, in that order. The words come first in the course, and each set arrives just after the words it is built from, so a phrase is something you can already take apart rather than a string to parrot. A memorised sentence you cannot adapt falls over the moment the question changes.