Modern Languages GCSE
French: From Year 9 we build on the previous experience of all pupils and aim for a good GCSE grade in Year 11 – a springboard to AS and A2 in the Sixth Form. We use Encore Tricolore and Metro as coursebooks, supplemented by other materials and resources
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Most pupils will have taken a beginners’ course in either German or Spanish in Year 9. Any pupil may continue with their second language to GCSE but we particularly encourage the more able linguists to do so as the pace of the course accelerates in order to cover the exam syllabus. The German course is Lernpunkt Deutsch; for Spanish we use Espanol Mundial; these are both supplemented by other resources.
Each language has four timetabled lessons per week. For all languages we use the AQA board which examines the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
New AQA GCSE Specification from 2009
- New specification (new course books) to be introduced September 2009 – 1st exam June 2010
- 4 skills (L / R / S / W)
- Greater emphasis on Writing (30%)/Speaking (30%)
- 2 pieces of written work (externally assessed) instead of 3 x coursework (internally assessed)
- Speaking will be tested through continuous assessment, both conducted and marked by the teacher
Exam Results 2011
French: 86% A–C grade
Spanish: 100% A–C grade
German: 80% A–C grade
La Fin! Year 11 pupils about to take study leave for their GCSEs.
Links
Link to examination board specifications for French, German and Spanish: www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse.html