At KS3

You will be assessed on a regular basis at the following assessment points; Term 1A, Term 1B, Term 2 and Term 3. The focus will be on the four main skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. You will be introduced to elements of the GCSE and will complete a range of activities in preparation for this such as; role-plays, photo card descriptions, grammar activities, extended pieces of writing and translations from the target language to English and vice versa. You will be given regular feedback on both class work and homework, with strengths and targets clearly highlighted.

At KS4

In the study of a language at GCSE, you will be given the opportunity to listen, read and write and speak about the aforementioned topics. Each skill is worth 25% of the total grade and all four skills are assessed in final exams at the end of Year 11. You will find further information below.

Paper 1: Listening

What’s assessed?

Understanding and responding to different types of spoken language

How is it assessed?

Written exam: 35 minutes (Foundation Tier), 45 minutes (Higher Tier)

What are the style of questions?

Section A – questions in English, to be answered in English or non-verbally

Section B – questions in French, to be answered in French or non-verbally

Paper 2: Speaking

What’s assessed?

Communicating and interacting effectively in speech for a variety of purposes

How is it assessed?

7–9 minutes (Foundation Tier) + preparation time

10–12 minutes (Higher Tier) + preparation time

What are the style of questions?

Role Play (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 2 minutes at Higher Tier)

Photo Card (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 3 minutes at Higher Tier)

Conversation (3–5 minutes at Foundation Tier; 5–7 minutes at Higher Tier)

Paper 3: Reading

What’s assessed?

Understanding and responding to different types of written language

How is it assessed?

Written exam: 45 minutes (Foundation Tier), 1 hour (Higher Tier)

What are the style of questions?

Foundation Tier and Higher Tier

  • Section A – questions in English, to be answered in English or non-verbally
  • Section B – questions in French, to be answered in French or non-verbally
  • Section C – translation from French into English (a minimum of 35 words for Foundation Tier and 50 words for Higher Tier)
Paper 4: Writing

What’s assessed?

Communicating effectively in writing for a variety of purposes

How is it assessed?

Written exam: 1 hour (Foundation Tier), 1 hour 15 minutes (Higher Tier)

What are the style of questions?

Foundation Tier

  • Question 1 – message (student produces four sentences in response to a photo)
  • Question 2 – short passage (student writes a piece of continuous text in response to four brief bullet points, approximately 40 words in total)
  • Question 3 – translation from English into French (minimum 35 words)
  • Question 4 – structured writing task (student responds to four compulsory detailed bullet points, producing approximately 90 words in total) – there is a choice from two questions

Higher Tier

  • Question 1 – structured writing task (student responds to four compulsory detailed bullet points, producing approximately 90 words in total) – there is a choice from two questions
  • Question 2 – open-ended writing task (student responds to two compulsory detailed bullet points, producing approximately 150 words in total) – there is a choice from two questions
  • Question 3 – translation from English into French (minimum 50 words)

You will be assessed on a regular basis at the following assessment points; Term 1A, Term 1B, Term 2 and Term 3. You will also come Year 10 Examinations, Mock, and Trial Examinations in Year 11.

You will be given regular feedback on both class work and homework, with strengths and targets clearly highlighted.

 

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