2012 GCSE German Higher
2010 German GCSE New Spec 1H
French GCSE 1H
Key Stage 4
Year 11 GCSE Oral Exams 22nd – 26th October 2012
All Year 11 language students will be participating in their second oral controlled assessment during the week commencing 22nd October. It is imperative that they prepare effectively for this assessment as it is worth 15% of their overall GCSE mark.
Each student has been issued with a task sheet which they should have glued into their exercise books. They will recieve 3 lessons to carry out independent preparation and should also complete 3.5 hours of preparation at home.
Dates and timings for the assessments will be given to the students by their MFL teachers before the exam and they will also be displayed in the MFL Block. Students should ensure that they know the time for their oral and that they arrive 5 minutes before it is due to start.
Please read the guidlines and advice in the parental guidance letter which has been sent via parentmail and which can be downloaded here: speaking 2 where I live – guidance for parents
GOOD LUCK Y11!!!
Year 10/Year 11
Weekly extra-curricular sessions for Year 11 students begin Monday 24th September.
German: Room 150
Spanish: Room 156
French: Room 153
Mock Exams November 2012 – Year 11
Year 11 students will be completing Mock Exams in Listening and Reading during the November Mock period. Reading and Listening exams are worth 40% of the GCSE marks, so it is important that students spend quality time preparing for them. A booklet with useful advise and lots of details of web-sites and study tips is available to download. Mock exams Preparation Booklet for GCSE 2012-13
GCSE
Students follow the Edexcel GCSE syllabus for French, German or Spanish. The full specification (including marking criteria) can be downloaded here:
Please note that the examination specification booklets include over 100 pages. You will NOT need to print them all! Controlled Assessment Dates
•Dec 2012 – Yr 10 writing 1
•Mar 2013 – Yr 10 writing 2
•Jun 2013 – Yr 10 speaking 1
•Oct 2013- Yr 11 speaking 2
•Dec 2013- Yr 11 writing 3
•Mar 2013- Yr 11 speaking 3
Please note that these dates are provisional and may vary slightly – you will be informed of any changes made. You will receive a hard copy and a digital copy of each task 2 weeks before the date of the assessment.
What are the GCSE Topics?
For French, German and Spanish Controlled Assessment tasks will focus on:
- Media and Culture
- Sport and Leisure
- Travel and Tourism
- Business, Work and Employment
GCSE Controlled Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
•What do I need to do for a controlled assessment?
A: You will need to prepare materials for the assessment with your teacher. Think first about the questions you could be asked, prepare to answer them and (for speaking assessments) think of a few questions you could ask too.
•How long do I need to speak for / write for?
A: The whole speaking assessment will last 4-6 minutes – remember to ask 2 questions. If it is a writing assessment you will have 1 hour to write a minimum of 200 words.
•Am I allowed to bring any notes into the exam?
A: Yes. You are allowed up to 30 words and 5 pictures. You are not allowed whole sentences but you can use verb forms. The notes can be in the foreign language or English. These notes must be on the Exam Board paper.
•What happens if I am ill on the day of the exam?
A: Get a message to your teacher straightaway. The assessment can then be done but within one week of the date set.
•Do the controlled assessments count towards my final grade?
A: Yes! The controlled assessment elements of your GCSE is worth 60% of the overall grade. This is made up of two separate speaking exams and two separate writing assessments, so each is worth 15%. The remainder is made up of 20% reading and 20% listening in the final exams at the end of Year 11.
•Can I get any help with the exam?
A: After the task has been set your teacher is only able to give very general feedback. He/She cannot, for example, correct anything in your preparation or tell you how to say something. You must use the work from class, a dictionary (but carefully) and any reference materials to prepare. You are not allowed to use the Internet to prepare.
• Can I prepare for the questions I will get?
A: Yes! You should brainstorm all your information on the topic, imagining the questions that you could be asked. When you prepare, remember to make use of variety of vocabulary and structures. It is important to make sure, for example, you have used the past, present and future tenses.
•What are the examiners looking for?
A: They will be looking for: a variety of vocabulary; accuracy; logical, linked ideas; for speaking: good pronunciation; evidence of planning and fluency (meaning not stumbling and slowly delivered). Of course there might be a few pauses while you consider your answers as you have not memorised a script! It is a real conversation and will sound like that too!
•Can I speak/write in English at all?
A: No! If you don’t know a word or cannot remember a word you need to either think of something else or try and re-word it. You cannot ask the teacher to provide you with a word. If you don’t understand a question, you could say so in the foreign language or you could ask for it to be repeated.
•Can I ask my teacher anything in the oral exam?
A: Yes. You MUST ask at least one but you could ask more than this. It would be a good idea to prepare to ask 3 or 4 questions.
Useful Links for GCSE revision
- GCSE Languages Preparations Booklet – lots of useful information about preparation for controlled assessments.