French A: Literature HL

Expert's Insight: McGill grants 6 generic credits (FREN 1XX) for French A: Language and Literature HL, but this credit carries a hidden 'native speaker' classification that affects your options. THE TRAP: French A is classified as native/near-native fluency. McGill's system assumes you are a Francophone or heritage speaker. This blocks you from the 'easy' French as a Second Language (FRSL) electives that many students use as GPA boosters. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS: If you want to take more French, you WON'T be in the French Language Centre (FRSL 211, 321). You will likely be directed to the Département des littératures de langue française (DLLF) to take native-level courses like FREN 201 (Composition) or FREN literature seminars. THE DANGER ZONE: DLLF courses are taught entirely in French and graded on the same standard as native Francophone students. If you're an immersion student who took French A but struggle with perfect academic French, these courses can devastate your GPA. THE REALITY CHECK: While IB French A focuses on literature, DLLF courses expect native cultural fluency. You might be able to analyze Camus, but if your grammar isn't perfect, you will lose marks on every assignment against native speakers. YOUR MOVE: If you are NOT a native speaker but took French A, you MUST petition the French Language Centre (FLC) for a placement test BEFORE registering for courses. Do NOT assume the system correctly classified you. Many immersion students successfully argue their way into FRSL courses where they can earn better grades and actually build proficiency. BEST CASE: You get FLC placement → Take FRSL 321 → Reasonable GPA + actual fluency gain. WORST CASE: You're locked into DLLF → Compete with native speakers → GPA takes a hit.

Expert's Insight: A 200-LEVEL (2UNS) CREDIT – BUT PLACEMENT DETERMINES YOUR PATH The Distinction: Unlike Language & Literature students (who typically get 100-level credit), Queen's recognizes French A: Literature HL as advanced work. You receive FREN 2UNS (6.0 units)—unspecified 200-level credits. The "Placement Test" Reality: Do not assume this credit automatically places you into specific advanced courses. The Rule: If you want to take any French course at Queen's, you generally need the Placement Test (only true Francophone students are exempt). The Outcome: With French A Lit HL, you will likely place above beginner levels. Your result may route you to FREN 152 or direct you to contact the French Studies Advisor for access to higher-level courses. The "Block": If your placement score shows you are beyond FREN 151/152, the department may not permit you to enroll in those courses. Strategic Advice: For Non-Majors (General Arts/Science): TAKE THE CREDIT. You have 6.0 units of 200-level elective units in the bank. You won't need the placement test unless you plan to enroll in a Queen's French course. For French Majors/Minors: Contact the Department. Your FREN 2UNS credit counts towards your degree, but you need to confirm if it counts towards your specific Plan Requirements (Major/Minor). Action: Take the placement test, then email the French Studies Advisor with your results to see how these 6.0 units fit into your degree plan. Bottom Line: You have a 200-level (2UNS) credit, but you still have to prove your level via the placement test to move forward in the department.

Expert's Insight: PLACEMENT-BASED CREDIT — FRENCH A: LITERATURE HL IS TREATED LIKE OTHER IB FRENCH What you get (units): • IB Diploma: credit for HL with 4+. • IB Certificate/Partial: credit for HL with 5+. What placement changes: SFU uses the French placement test to decide whether your 6 units show up as: • FREN 1XX (6) or • FREN 1XX (3) + WL 1XX (3) Practical guidance: 1. If you plan to take any French at SFU: do the placement process early so you know what you can enroll in (and so the right credit split is recorded). 2. If you don't plan to take French: you can still keep the transfer credit—just verify how it appears on your Transfer Credit Report / Advising Transcript. 3. Don't assume WQB (Breadth/Hum) tags automatically: SFU has a separate process for WQB review. Always confirm the designations on your transcript before "counting" it toward requirements.