Exam Board: Edexcel (Year 10), Pearson AQA (Year 11)
Pearson
Syllabus Code (French): 8658
Syllabus Code (German): 8668
Syllabus Code (Spanish): 8698
Edexcel
Syllabus Code (French): 1FR1
Syllabus Code (German): 1DE1
Syllabus Code (Spanish): 1SP1
What will I be studying?
The Modern Languages GCSE's follow the AQA Syllabus, however for the incoming Year 10 class we will be changing to the Edexcel exam board.
Aims
To encourage students to communicate confidently and coherently in speech and writing. To encourage students to express and develop ideas spontaneously and fluently. To deepen students' knowledge about how language works. To develop awareness and understanding of the culture and identity of the country where the language is spoken.
To develop language-learning skills both for immediate use and to prepare students for further study.
Content
The content is defined in terms of five common themes and grammar is developed on an ongoing basis. Identity and culture, local area, holiday, travel, school, future aspirations, study and work, international and global dimension.
How will I be assessed?
The skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing are assessed through final examinations at the end of Upper Fifth. There are two levels of entry: foundation and higher.
Paper 1: Listening (Written exam. Foundation – 35 mins, Higher tier – 45 mins. 25%). Understanding of standard spoken language in a range of settings. Response to multiple-response and short-answer open-response questions.
Paper 2: Speaking (Internally conducted, externally assessed. Foundation – 7-9 mins, Higher 10-12 mins. 25%). Communicate in the target language through:
- A role play
- Questions based on a picture stimulus
- Conversation based on two themes
Paper 3: Reading (Foundation - 1 hour, Higher – 1 hour 15 mins; Higher 1 hour. 50 marks. 25%). Demonstrate understanding of a text through:
- Questions in English
- Questions in the target language
- Translation
Paper 4: Writing (Foundation - 1 hour 10 mins, Higher – 1 hr 20 mins. 25%). Communicate in the written form, express and justify points of view in the target language.
Foundation tier – three extended response questions and one translation into the target language.
Higher tier – two extended response questions and one translation into the target language
Is there anything else I need to know about this subject course?
Students need a minimum of 1 year's experience learning that language prior to taking GCSE.
All components must be entered in the same tier. Entry can vary as appropriate to the candidate’s perceived competence. Grades are awarded using a scale of 1-9.
For native speakers of Russian, Italian, Mandarin, and Cantonese, we provide delivery of the course with specialist teachers once a week.
Examination method
100% final examination at the end of Upper Fifth.
Further information
Please contact Clare Winchester-Snell
clare.winchestersnell@sidcot.org.uk