1. A Guide for Students and Parents
GCSE (9-1) Languages
A Guide for Students and Parents

2. The New Languages GCSE: Assessment
All external terminal exams no controlled assessment
25% per skill- L, S, R, W

3. Foundation or Higher?
There is a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9).
Students must take all four question papers at the same tier.

4. What about the new grades?

5. The Five Themes
Identity and culture
Local area, holiday and travel
School
Future aspirations, study and work
International and global dimension

6. Paper 1: Listening: 15 May 2018 Foundation: 35 Minutes
Higher: 45 Minutes
SECTION A
Questions in English, to be answered in English
SECTION B
Questions in French/Spanish, to be answered in French/Spanish

7. The Speaking Exam: April/May 2018
Conducted by the Language Teacher
7-9 minutes (Foundation Tier) + preparation time
10-12 minutes (Higher Tier) + preparation time

8. The Speaking Exam: April/May 2018
Part 1
Role play – 2 minutes (10 marks)
Part 2
Discussion of Photo Card (24 marks)
2 minutes for Foundation
3 minutes for Higher
Part 3
General Conversation (36 marks)
3-5 minutes for Foundation
5-7 minutes for Higher

9. The Speaking Exam: April/May 2018
part 1: Role Play

10. The Speaking Exam: April/May 2018
Part 2: PBD

11. The Speaking Exam: April/May 2018
Part 3
1 topic chosen in advance from the FIVE themes
A second topic allocated randomly on day

12. The Five Themes
Identity and culture:
Local area, holiday and travel
School
Future aspirations, study and work
International and global dimension

13. Paper 3: Reading: 15 May 2018 Foundation: 45 Minutes
Higher: 60 Minutes
SECTION A
Questions in English, to be answered in English
SECTION B
Questions in French/Spanish, to be answered in French/Spanish

14. Paper 3: Reading: 15 May 2018 SECTION C
Translation from the target language into English (a minimum of 35 words for Foundation Tier and 50 words for Higher Tier)

15. Paper 4: Writing: 18 May 2018 FOUNDATION: Question 1:
Describe a photo – 20 words
FOUNDATION: Question 2:
Short writing task - 50 words
Present and future tenses

16. Paper 4: Writing: 18 May 2018 FOUNDATION: Question 3a OR 3b:
Choice of TWO questions
80-90 words
Three tenses – past, present and future

17. Paper 4: Writing: 18 May 2018 FOUNDATION: Question 4:
Translation from English into Target Language
Minimum of 35 words

18. Paper 4: HIGHER Writing: 18 May 2018
HIGHER: Question 1a OR 1b:
Choice of TWO questions
80-90 words
Three tenses – past, present and future

19. Paper 4: HIGHER Writing: 18 May 2018
HIGHER: Question 2a OR 2b:
Choice of TWO questions
words
Six tenses, idioms and creative language!

20. Paper 4: HIGHER Writing: 18 May 2018
HIGHER: Question 3:
Translation from English into Target Language
Minimum of 50 words

21. Key Dates: 16 October – SLT interviews Exeter College Open Evening
6 – 17 November Mock Exams
W/B 20 November Mock Speaking Exam
7 December – Parent’s Evening
25 January – Awards Evening
29 January SLT Interviews
22 March Parent’s Evening
April/May – Speaking Exam
15 May – L/R exam
18 May – W Exam
23 August - Results

22. So what should my child be doing??

23. Learn the vocabulary!
Regular vocabulary tests in class!
Download app on phone
15 minutes EVERY DAY for year 11!

26. Practise the grammar!

28. Do your homework!
Weekly reading and listening exercises
30-40 minutes EVERY WEEK

30. Develop your listening skills!

31. Develop your listening skills!

32. Develop your reading and listening skills!

33. Practise your speaking skills
Prepare your chosen topic for the conversation

34. Revison Guides
Library has them in stock
Letter available

35. Top three tips:
Complete ALL homework
Download Memrise App on phone
Practise conversation questions

37. Any questions?