GCSE MFL at Pudsey Grangefield School

Programme of Session Introduction to the MFL GCSE exams How MFL is taught: teaching and learning routines Strategies to cope with a linear GCSE course and the specific demands of MFL study Resources used in lessons and useful strategies and resources to support independent learning

Introduction to the GCSE exams Four exams, all at the end of the course. All exams worth 25% of final grade. All four exams have to be the same tier. AQA exam board. Department follow a 3 year scheme of learning produced by the exam board.

Introduction to the GCSE exams The GCSE exam covers three themes, each of which contains four subtopics: Identity and culture Local, national, international and global areas of interest Current and future study and employment

How MFL is taught: teaching and learning routines Starter activities: Grammar (tenses, adjectives, negatives) Translation Describe a picture Timed writing with a stimulus Exam question

How MFL is taught: teaching and learning routines Activities during lessons: Paired work speaking, reading aloud Textbook based reading exercises Listening exercises Brain breaks: multiple choice questions interspersed into lessons to recap prior knowledge Independent writing with a focus Self-quizzing

How to cope with a linear GCSE course and the specific demands of MFL study Know vocabulary, grammar and complex structures. Recognition is not the same as recall or production Cramming is impossible Revision little and often Frequent recycling of language and grammar

How to cope with a linear GCSE course and the specific demands of MFL study Homework: 5 words to learn each lesson - low stake testing. One longer task - from a choice of grammar, exam question, textbook work, Vocab Express (Year 10 and Year 11 only) or grammar revision. Year 11 students can expect a greater volume

Revising vocabulary and grammar Useful strategies and resources to support independent learning Revising vocabulary and grammar WHEN is key. Frequency aids longer term memory. Intervals enable forgetting and relearning. This is key for longer term memory. HOW is vital. RAWACAC. Learn until it is right every time and you can recall without support. SELF QUIZZING (at home and at school) VARIETY may help, for example quizzing at home, use of flashcards and online revision websites (see last page of handout).

Quizlet (vocab learning tool) Memrise (Year 9) Useful strategies and resources to support independent learning All recommended websites and apps can be found on the last page of the handout. Quizlet (vocab learning tool) Memrise (Year 9) Vocab Express (Year 10 and Year 11)

Memrise

Vocab Express

Resources and current students Please feel free to view your child’s workbook and to ask current students about their preferred revision styles. Jessica Dean - French and Spanish Y10 Ella Russell - French Y11 Mark Grayson - Spanish Y10 (also Russian)