GSCE French at Bury Church of England High School What to expect in the next two years

Topics to be covered as part of the Edexcel full course Media and culture (for example, music, cinema, fashion etc) Sport and leisure (hobbies, sporting events, lifestyle choices etc) Travel and tourism (holidays, accommodation, food and drink etc) Business, work and employment (work experience, part-time jobs etc)

How will your child be assessed? Four ways of assessment  Listening 20% (Unit 1)  Speaking 30%(Unit 2) controlled assessments  Reading 20% (Unit 3)  Writing 30% (Unit 4) controlled assessments

Listening Exam Worth 20% 25 mins (foundation)  35 mins (higher) You hear everything TWICE NO DICTIONARIES All questions in English Crossover questions

Speaking Assessment Structured conversation on one of the four topic areas (4-6 mins) Done at different times and on different topics Limited notes can be used Pick the best two to be submitted. Examined by and marked by teacher

How we prepare for the speaking Study topic for a number of weeks before exam Prepare homeworks on the topic Two weeks before the exam, pupils get the “brief” They will be asked questions on the topic.

Reading Exam Worth 20% 35 mins (foundation)  50 mins (higher) You read the texts and information NO DICTIONARIES All questions in English Crossover questions

Written Assessment Write a letter / article / interview on a topic Each will be written in ONE 60 minute session For a C and above, your work must contain at least 200 words You’ll be given the title and instructions 2 weeks before the write-up session but will have studied the topic for some weeks prior to this You can have notes (30 words maximum) and a dictionary for the session In the 2 weeks prior to the write-up session, you can talk about what you’re going to do with your teacher and plan what you’re going write about Marked externally G-D = words over the two pieces of work. C-A*= words over the two pieces of work.

Written Assessment The teacher CANNOT correct any plans or drafts but CAN comment on them Two of these essays will be sent away for marking and form part of the final exam grade

Credit is given for... Taking a risk (interesting language) Being creative Being accurate

Bad ideas to help with written assessments... Use a translator - it shows when we are reading the work AND it can disqualify the student Getting someone else to write it for you Not having a dictionary X

Good ideas use work done in class use dictionary to check spellings and vary the language use mark scheme to know what will help you get a higher grade

What we expect at home homework done every time care taken while doing homework revision for exams 20 words vocabulary learnt every week

Help and support French assistant Revision guides (we strongly recommend the Edexcel one) A good dictionary The immersion programme!

Websites/apps duolingo hello mylo languagesonline.org.uk bbc bitesize

How can parents help? Enable and encourage use of good language websites Test vocabulary Keep a record of controlled assessments dates Keep in touch with your teacher via

Dates of controlled assessments Writing: w/b 23 rd November 2015 Speaking: w/b 22 nd February 2016 Speaking: w/b 2 nd May 2016 Writing: w/b 4 th July 2016