1. GCSE French (Revised) (First teaching from September 2017) GCSE Support Event
October - November 2018

2. Support Event Introduction Key Resources New GCSE French unit by unit
Q&A

3. Introduction A time of change New specification for GCSE French
Unitised qualification
First papers – summer 2018
First awards – summer 2019
40% of the assessments must be taken at the end of course

4. Key Resources CCEA French Microsite Specification
Specimen Assessment Materials (SAMS)
GCSE Modern Languages Clarification document (June 2017)
Circular – GCSE Modern Languages Writing (April 2018)
Circular – 2018 GCSE Modern Languages (Sept 2018)
Speaking Examination at a glance (Sept 2018)

5. Assessment Objectives
There are FOUR assessment objectives:
AO1: understand and respond to different types of spoken language (25%)
AO2: communicate and interact effectively in speech (25%)
AO3: understand and respond to different types of written language (25%)
AO4: communicate in writing (25%)
* Delete as appropriate

6. GCSE at a glance Unit 1: Listening (foundation/ higher) 25%
Unit 2: Speaking (untiered) 25%
Unit 3: Reading (foundation / higher) 25%
Unit 4: Writing (foundation/ higher) 25%
All modules = 60 marks

7. Contexts for Learning Context 1: Identity, Lifestyle and Culture
Context 2: Local, National, International and Global Areas of Interest
Context 3: School Life, Studies and the World of Work

8. Context for Learning 1 Myself, my family, relationships and choices
Social media and new technology
Free time, leisure and daily routine
Culture, customs, festivals and celebrations

9. Context for Learning 2 My local area and the wider environment
Community involvement
Social and global issues
Travel and tourism

10. Context for Learning 3 My studies and school life
Extra-curricular activities
Part-time jobs and money management
Future plans and career

11. Contexts for Learning 3 Contexts for Learning
ALL 3 Contexts covered in every paper
4 Topics in each context = framework for topics to assess
ALL TOPICS will be assessed over the lifetime of the specification

12. GCSE Unit 1: Listening This unit has TWO tiers:
Foundation 35 minutes (approx.)
Higher 45 minutes (approx.)

13. GCSE Unit 1: Listening Changes from previous specification:
Foundation & Higher papers = 12 questions
4 common questions
Questions and answers in English = Q
Questions and answers in French = Q

14. GCSE Unit 1: Listening Full sentences not required
Alternatives  no marks awarded
Incorrect language  no marks awarded
Candidate should answer clearly in the spaces provided

15. GCSE Unit 3: Reading This unit has TWO tiers: Foundation 50 minutes
Higher minutes

16. GCSE Unit 3: Reading Changes from previous specification:
Foundation & Higher papers = 12 questions
4 questions are common to both tiers
Questions and answers in English and questions and answers in French
Answers in incorrect language  no marks awarded
Full sentences not required in answers

17. GCSE Unit 3: Reading Changes from previous specification:
Foundation & Higher papers - translation
Translation of short sentences from French to English
Different questions for translation in foundation and higher papers

18. GCSE Unit 4: Writing This unit has TWO tiers: Foundation 60 minutes
Higher 1 hour 15 minutes

19. GCSE Unit 4: Writing Foundation Tier = 4 questions
Listing and short phrases in French
Short phrase/ sentence responses in French
Translation of short sentences from English to French
Structured response – extended writing (one from choice of three) [See CCEA Circular - April 2018]
CCEA Circular April 2018 – recommends words

20. GCSE Unit 4: Writing Higher Tier = 4 questions
Short phrase/ sentence responses in French
Short responses in French to one or more pieces of text
Translation of short sentences from English to French
Structured response – extended writing (one from choice of three) [See CCEA Circular - April 2018]
CCEA Circular April 2018 – recommends 130 – 150 words

21. GCSE Unit 4: Writing Changes from previous specifications:
Replaces Controlled Assessment Writing
One common question
Translation English  French
Structured responses in French – choice of 1 from 3 options

22. GCSE Unit 4: Writing In the Writing Papers
Phrases do not have to include a verb
Sentences do have to contain a verb
Word limits/ guidance = very important
Lengthy answers can be self-penalizing

23. GCSE Unit 4: Writing Extended writing
Three options - 1 option from each of the 3 Contexts for Learning
Set out answer clearly
Choose carefully – all 5 bullet points must be answered appropriately to access the higher bands
All bullet points have equal weighting

24. GCSE Unit 4: Writing Extended writing – Communication
Band marks
Carries out the task effectively
Very clear and concise language
Excellent knowledge of the topic
Ideas and opinions = expressed and justified

25. GCSE Unit 4: Writing Extended writing – Grammar and Structures
Band marks
Well-organized and coherent
Attempts to use more complex language
Excellent range of appropriate vocabulary and structures
Few errors

26. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking This unit is untiered: Role-plays 2- 4 minutes
Conversation topic 1 4 minutes
Conversation topic 2 4 minutes
Suggested overall time 7-12 minutes (teacher managed)

27. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Teacher-conducted speaking test
MUST be recorded for uploading
Marked by CCEA
GCSE timetable is currently online – window for speaking tests

28. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Timings Upper time limits must be adhered to
Lengthy speaking tests are self-penalizing
Too short  will not allow access to full range of marks

29. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Role-plays - preparation
Two cards – presented to candidate face down
Each card has two role play situations
Candidate chooses without seeing the tasks
One card on each of the contexts not covered by pre-release topic

30. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Role plays - preparation
CCEA will specify the order of the role play cards
A, B, C etc.

31. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Role-plays - preparation
Preparation = 10 minutes
Candidates can write answers / notes on the Candidate Role-play Response Sheet and use these in the examination

32. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking When Role-plays have been selected
- Candidate sees the contents of the role-plays
2 Situations based on different topics
Both from the same Context for Learning
Open and closed tasks
Ask questions

33. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Role-plays
Teacher-examiner must adhere to the responses given in the Speaking Test Booklet
Candidates should not be prompted or corrected

34. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Role-plays Each element assessed 2/ 1/ 0
Communication is key
Range of difficulty – untiered (A*-G)
Total marks for role-plays = 2 x 10 = 20 marks

35. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Conversation topic 1 Pre-release topic
Topic released in September
2019 Topic for GCSE French = Daily routine (including leisure and free time)

36. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Conversation topic 1 Based on the topic ONLY
NOT based on the full Context
Up to 4 minutes
Candidate should answer and ask questions
Circular September 2018 – GCSE Modern Languages

37. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Conversation topic 1
Continues elements from Controlled Assessment in old specification
One hour preparation in class
Candidate Preparation Sheet

38. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Conversation topic 1
It should NOT be a series of mini-presentations
Natural flow to the conversation
CCEA questions (in Specification) – can be used/ adapted

39. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Conversation topic 2
It must be on one topic NOT a full Context for Learning
It must be taken from the Context for Learning not covered so far in the speaking test
A natural conversation
Teacher chooses topic NOT the candidate
Candidates should answer and ask questions

40. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Conversation topics 1 and 2
Each conversation topic marked out of 20
Each conversation topic assessed separately
Conversation topic 1 = 20 marks
Conversation topic 2 = 20 marks

41. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Conversation – Communication (15 marks)
Band 5 Candidate (13-15 marks)
Asks and answers questions spontaneously and confidently
Communicates a lot of relevant information
Develops answers by giving unsolicited details with opinions and justification
Excellent pronunciation, intonation and fluency.

42. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Conversation Grammar and Structures (5 marks)
Band 5 Candidate (5 marks)
uses a wide range of grammar and structures giving the response some complexity
regularly incorporates vocabulary, idiomatic and creative expressions that give the response a natural feel
uses more complex language, with confident reference to past, present and future events, as appropriate
delivers a response with a high level of accuracy

43. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking THREE parts to the speaking test - One recording
Role-plays marks
Conversation topic marks
Conversation topic marks
TOTAL = 60 marks

44. GCSE Unit 2: Speaking Candidate Preparation sheet
Candidate Role-play Response Sheet
BOTH must be retained by centre until the Enquiry About Results (EAR) process is complete

45. Contacts: GCSE Modern Languages
Education Manager [with overall responsibility for GCSE French & German]: Jayne FitzGerald
Telephone: Ext 2255
Education Manager [with overall responsibility for GCSE Irish and Spanish]: Seán McNally
Telephone: Ext 2325
Subject Support Officer: Joan Jennings
Telephone: Ext 2552

46. Online support & resources
Full range of materials for GCSE - available on the CCEA French microsite at
Specification, SAMS
Factfiles
Circulars
Chief Examiner’s Reports

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49. Working with CCEA The benefits:
teacher cover provided [as appropriate]
first-hand experience of how the examining system works
creates links with CCEA personnel/subject officer
opportunity to network with other professionals
enhances the professional development of teachers

50. GCSE French