French GCSE

MFL Assessment – KS4

Pupils are prepared for WJEC GCSE in both Spanish and French.

WJEC Spanish: http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=103

WJEC French: http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=57

In Years 3 and 4, pupils are assessed formally at the end of each topic. In year 3 the foundations of grammar and vocabulary are laid, so that the GCSE programme of study can be followed in Years 4 and 5. In the last half term of Year 4 the first controlled assessment tasks are undertaken, and four more will be undertaken in Year 5 (see breakdown of topics below)

GCSE Modern Foreign Languages Assessment

Controlled Assessment

Speaking:

Weighting: 30%

Length of exam:

Structured Conversation: 4-5 mins

Presentation & Discussion:

5-7 minutes

Untiered

Takes place in class

Examined and marked by class teacher.

Samples sent off for moderation to the WJEC

Can take in 30 words as bullet points (notes must be handed in and kept by teacher)

No dictionaries allowed during assessment

Part One: Structured Conversation (4-5 minutes)

Have a conversation lasting 4-5 minutes with your teacher based on a concept web (mindmap) that has been provided by the exam board. You will see the concept web 2 weeks before the test.

Part Two: Presentation (2-3 minutes) followed discussion (3-4 minutes)

Give a presentation to your teacher based on a topic chosen and researched by you. This will last 2-3 minutes. This will be followed by a discussion with the teacher on your chosen topic, which will last 3-4 minutes.

You can take in 30 words as bullet points and pictures to help you, plus a small prop such as a postcard or small object.

Controlled Assessment

Writing:

Weighting: 30%

Length of exam:

1 lesson (60 minutes) per piece of writing

2-week preparation period between seeing the task and writing it out under exam conditions.

Written in class.

All writing will be sent off to the WJEC exam board for marking

Dictionaries allowed

40 words of notes as bullets points can be used during the test

Prepare 2 pieces of writing from different contexts. Both pieces must be submitted by the beginning of May. Two weeks will be allowed between seeing the task and writing in out in class under exam conditions. It must be completed in one session of up to 60 minutes. You must sign a form to confirm that you written work is all your own and that it has been completed under exam conditions. The teacher is not allowed to mark your work during the 2-week preparation period, but can give you general advice. All notes and advice given to you must be sent off to the exam board with your final pieces of work.

For grades C-A*, write at least 200 words per piece (400-600 words for both)

For grades G-D, write at least 100 words per piece (200-300 words for both)

External assessment

Listening and Responding

Weighting: 20%

Length of exam:

35 mins (F)

45 mins (H)

+ 5 minutes reading time at the start

External exam paper

All questions and answers in English

No dictionaries allowed

The exam is designed to allow you to show that you are able to understand spoken French in a variety of situations. Each item will be heard twice. You are allowed five minutes to study the questions before the tape is played.

The paper includes box-ticking, multiple choice and matching. The kind of items you will hear are public announcements, instructions and requests, interviews, news items, short dialogues and monologues such as weather forecasts.

External assessment

Reading and Responding

Weighting: 20%

Length of exam:

35 mins (F)

45 mins (H)

+5 minutes reading time at the start

External exam paper

All questions and answers in English

No dictionaries allowed.

The exam is designed to allow you to show that you are able to understand and respond to written French in different styles and contexts and from different sources.

The paper includes box-ticking, multiple choice and matching. The kind of reading items you will see in the paper are written public notices and signs, magazines or newspaper articles and personal information such as that found in letter, notes, e-mails or messages.

Examination Board:

Specification Title:

Further Information:

Coursework / Controlled Assessment:

Examination Dates:

WJEC

French

www.wjec.co.uk

60% Controlled assessment for Speaking and Writing

40% Listening and Reading exams, summer 5^th year

GCSE Modern Languages List of Topics

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL LIFE