1. Working in Partnership to support our students
GCSE Modern Languages
Working in Partnership to support our students

2. What will my daughter study ?
The GCSE course covers a range of topics
which are divided into 3 main themes :
Theme 1: Identity and Culture
Me, my family and my friends
Technology in everyday life
Free time activities
Customs and festivals in French/German/Spanish speaking countries

3. Theme 2: Local, National, International, Global areas of interest
Home, town, neighbourhood and region
Social issues
Global issues
Travel and tourism
Theme 3: Current and Future Education
My studies
Life at school/college
Education post 16
Jobs, career choice and ambitions

4. How will my daughter be assessed ?
The GCSE examinations are conducted in 4 skill areas:
Listening 25%
Reading 25%
Speaking 25%
Writing 25%
All work is externally marked
Foundation/Higher Tier entry

5. When will my daughter be assessed in MFL?
All 4 examinations will take place in the summer term of 2020
April/May – speaking test
May/June – listening, reading & writing tests
The speaking test will be conducted by your daughter’s teacher

6. Will my daughter be tested in MFL this year ?
Yes- at the end of every unit of work. The assessments will be based on all work covered during that unit. Encourage appropriate revision – feedback is more meaningful when the work is the best it can be at that stage – no excuses!
There will always be a written test.
This will be accompanied by tests in other skills (listening, reading, translation, speaking) – students will be informed which ones are relevant.
In the year 10 exam week in May, there will be a test in each of the 4 skills.

7. Top Tips (1)
Encourage your daughter to refer back to work completed in Key Stage 3
Ensure that you daughter has her GCSE ring binder organised into the 12 sub-topics
Check your daughter has highlighter pens to make key words/phrases stand out

8. Top tips (2) A good dictionary is useful
A revision guide may help(letters to be issued very soon – payment via Parentpay
Use Languages websites

14. Helping your daughter…
Work with her
Give the English word
Get her to teach you
Provide card for “turn and learn” vocabulary cards
Listen to her speaking aloud
Ask her to explain what she has written – “retranslating” into English can often reveal errors/missed words

15. work she has already done
Encourage her to use
work she has already done
Encourage her to recycle known structures – build on KS3 work
Encourage her to drop in to the various extra sessions offered by the MFL teachers
Encourage her to talk to her MFL teacher – for support, reassurance or encouragement!
Refer to candy floss -

16. Top tips (3)
Find out which days your daughter has MFL lessons and ask about what she has been doing
Expect your daughter to get MFL Homework on a very regular basis.
5 lessons per fortnight – HW from 4 of them (varied tasks)

17. One thing to avoid ….
Google translate isn’t reliable and can disappoint everyone– no substitute for learning and your own knowledge
No Google translate in the exam room – it can be a lonely place if you are reliant on it
Teachers know what the have taught you and what you could be expected to use

18. A few facts and figures to be aware of ....
Will it all be worth it ?
A few facts and figures to be aware of ....

19. A GCSE in a Modern Language is a real asset
Numbers studying German nationally at GCSE have halved in the last decade
GCSE French now has 40% less entrants than 10 years ago
Employers’ groups said they were concerned about the fall-off in languages. The Guardian

20. are the facilitating subjects required by Russell Group universities
English Literature, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography and Languages
are the facilitating subjects required by Russell Group universities  

21. “Employers are crying out for more language skills
“Employers are crying out for more language skills. We all need to realise that learning a language isn’t just a rewarding way to connect with another culture, but will boost job prospects too.”
Vicky Gough, schools adviser at the British Council

22. “It is no longer possible to presume that business will be done in English, and we have to remember that our young people are competing for jobs in a global marketplace.”
John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers
of Commerce

23. “If you have language skills you really can have a successful career in many different fields. A language can add 10-15% to your salary and make you really stand out from the competition.”
Steve Shacklock, Managing Director of Euro London Appointments ( a specialist multi-lingual recruitment consultancy)

24. “72% of UK international trade is with non- English speaking countries – but it is estimated that only one in ten British workers can speak a foreign language”
Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

25. Any questions …. ?