WAEC Syllabus for French 2025

WAEC Syllabus For French 2025 – The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the syllabus for all subjects, including French. French requires focused preparation, as it is not our first language. To pass this subject, candidates must be diligent and put in the necessary effort. Since success depends on a strong foundation, it’s important for those taking the exam to prepare intensively.

The best way to ensure success in the WAEC French paper is by studying according to the syllabus. This way, candidates can cover all the relevant topics and be well-prepared for the exam. Below, we have provided the WAEC Syllabus for French, information on the exam structure, and the recommended texts to guide your revision.

Examination Structure

The WAEC French exam is divided into three papers: Papers 1, 2, and 3. Papers 1 and 2 are taken together in a single sitting.

Paper 1: This paper consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed in one hour. It is worth 40 marks in total.
It is divided into two sections:

Section A: Comprehension, where candidates demonstrate their ability to understand French passages. There are two passages (approximately 150 words each) followed by five multiple-choice questions for each passage.
Section B: Structure, which evaluates the candidate’s use of French vocabulary, expressions, and grammar. This section contains 30 short questions.

Paper 2: This paper is split into two sections, both requiring candidates to answer one question from each section, making a total of two questions. The paper lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes and is worth 40 marks.

Section A: Essay writing, where candidates are expected to write an essay on a general topic using proper grammar and style. There are three topics, and candidates are to choose one. Each essay should be approximately 100 words.
Section B: Letter writing, where candidates must demonstrate their ability to write a letter in correct French. There are three topics, and candidates must choose one. Each letter should be about 100 words.

Paper 3: This section assesses the candidate’s listening comprehension, reading, and speaking skills. It is worth 50 marks, and candidates have 40 minutes to complete it.

Listening Comprehension: The examiner reads a 200-word passage aloud twice. After listening, candidates have 7 minutes to answer 10 questions, which may include multiple-choice, open-ended questions, and other types of responses.
Reading: This tests the candidate’s ability to read aloud with proper pronunciation. A 100-word passage is provided, and the candidate reads it aloud once at a normal pace.
Conversation: This is a 10-minute dialogue session where candidates answer at least 10 questions and also speak on a general topic, making at least five sentences in French.

WAEC Syllabus For French 2025

PAPER	SECTION	DESCRIPTION
PAPER 1	Section A: Comprehension	Tests candidates’ ability to read and understand French passages. Two 150-word passages with five multiple-choice questions each. Candidates must answer all questions.
	Section B: Structure	Tests candidates’ use of French words, expressions, and structural patterns in communication. 30 short questions to be answered.
PAPER 2	Section A: Essay	Tests candidates’ ability to write freely and correctly on general topics using appropriate grammar and style. There will be three questions ans candidates answer one. Expected length: 100 words.
	Section B: Letter Writing	Assesses candidates’ ability to write letters in correct French. There will be three questions ans candidates answer one. Expected length: 100 words.
PAPER 3	Listening Comprehension	A 200-word passage is to be read aloud by the examiner twice. Candidates study questions for 3 minutes before the second reading. 7 minutes to answer 10 questions, which may include multiple-choice, open-ended, transformation, and substitution.
	Reading	Tests candidates’ ability to read aloud fluently with correct pronunciation. A 100-word passage will be provided. Candidates read once at a normal pace.
	Conversation	A 10-minute test covering dialogue and exposition on general topics. Dialogue: Candidates answer at least 10 questions. Exposition: Candidates make at least 5 sentences on a given topic.
NOTES ON SYLLABUS	Grammar Topics
	Parts of Speech	Articles (definite, indefinite, partitive) with gender and number where applicable.
	Verbs	Regular and irregular verbs, moods, tenses, and expressions like “avoir faim” and “venir de + infinitive”.
	Nouns	Complements, gender, number.
	Pronouns	Personal, possessive, indefinite, demonstrative, relative, impersonal.
	Adjectives	Possessive, demonstrative, indefinite, interrogative (agreement and position).
	Adverbs	Formation, position, and special adverbs like mal, vite, fort, tout.
	Negatives	Negative expressions (ne… pas, ne… rien, ne… jamais, etc.).
	Conjunctions	Common ones: et, mais, donc, ou, parce que, etc.
	Prepositions	à, de, sur, en, devant, etc.
	Sentence Patterns	Declarative, interrogative, exclamative, etc.
	Voice	Active/passive.
	Speech	Direct and reported speech.
	Sentence Types	Compound and complex sentences.
	Idiomatic Expressions & Proverbs	Understanding and usage.
	Forms of Writing	Formal and informal.
	Context and Meaning	Expressing politeness, disgust, disappointment, etc.
	Figures of Speech	Similes, metaphors, hyperboles, etc.
	Actes de Parole	Expressing emotions like deception, approval, disgust, surprise, pleasure, regret, etc.

Recommended Texts for WAEC French 2025

Here are the texts recommended for revision and studies:

Course Books

De Grandsaigne, J. (n.d.). France-Afrique 4 (Lagos, Macmillan).
Plaisant, C., et al. (n.d.). Trans Afrique 3 (Lagos, Macmillan).
Ajiboye, T., et al. (n.d.). Nouvel Horizon 4 (Ibadan, Bounty Press Ltd.).
Mazauric, C., et al. (n.d.). On y va 3 (Ibadan, Spectrum Books).
Berard, E., et al. (n.d.). Tempo 1 & 2 (Didier, Hatier).
Task Force (MEST). (n.d.). Et en français 1–3 (Freetown).
Girardet, J., & Pécheir, J. (n.d.). Écho junior A2 méthode de français (Paris: CLÉ Internationale).

General Grammar Books

Ajiboye, T. (n.d.). Companion to French Grammar (Ilorin, Info-Links Publishers).
Ferrar, H. A. (n.d.). French Reference Grammar (Oxford University Press).
Dangnaud-Macé, P., & Sylès, G. (n.d.). Le Français sans faute (Paris, Hatier).
Le Nouveau Bescherelle. (n.d.). La grammaire pour tous (Paris: Hatier).
Soyoye, F. A. (n.d.). Manuel de conjugaison de verbes (Sophire Ed. Resources).
Any other useful grammar books.

Oral Practice

Ajiboye, T. (n.d.). An Introduction to Practice in Oral French (Revised edition, Ibadan, Bounty Press Ltd.).
Grandsaigne, J. (n.d.). France Afrique 5 (Lagos, Macmillan).
Adegbilero, L. M. (n.d.). Teaching Yourself French (with cassette/CD, Revised edition, Ibadan, Bounty Press Ltd.).
Chamberlain, A., & Steele, R. (n.d.). Guide pratique de la communication (Paris, Didier).
Any other useful document designed for Oral Practice.

Literature (Ghana Only)