gcse french.pdf - Nightingale Academy Revision

Exam Format
GCSE French consists of 4 units in total:
GCSE – FRENCH
Unit 1: French Listening
Assessment: 40 minutes
Unit 2: French Reading
Assessment: 40 minutes
Unit3: French speaking
Assessment: 2 submitted tasks
Unit 4: French Writing
Assessment: 2 submitted tasks
Course Summary
This course will enable students to develop language skills and be able to use their
knowledge of the French language within a wide range of contexts.
All essential areas of language are incorporated into the course and students will be
assessed on writing, speaking listening and reading, enabling them to acquire a sound
knowledge of French at this level
Learning Objectives
Through the completion of this course and the attainment of the GCSE qualification,
students can expect to acquire a selection of valuable skills:
• A sound knowledge and understanding of French grammar
• The ability to understand information in French relating to the topics covered and
be able to respond in French.
• The freedom to enjoy language learning and the ability to maintain the new
linguistic skills acquired
• The ability to access and recall French vocabulary independently
• The development of language skills including speaking, writing, reading and
listening

• The acquisition of a new understanding of French culture and its language in a
variety of contexts
The Course
This course is designed to be modern and eclectic in its approach.
Diverse characters are introduced who are representative of Parisian life. These
personalities are created to engage the student’s initial interest according to AQA
syllabus 4658 specification II `engaging context’
The characters are encountered initially in a famous restaurant in Paris, St Germain des
Prés. `les deux magots’
The setting is a familiar one that all students will be able to relate to and appreciate.
The function of the characters is to introduce: - new vocabulary and gradually grammar
and tenses appropriate to the level.
The newly acquired linguistic knowledge is then reinforced with a selection of grammar
exercises.
The characters circulate throughout Paris returning to `les deux magots’ to discuss their
lives and progress. The focus being on a situational syllabus.
As the course progresses and the students linguistic competence is consistently
improving. An extensive variety of texts will be introduced with comprehension
questions, discussion and grammatical analysis.
The level of fluency demonstrated in discussion will depict the student’s actual level of
attainment in the language.
The course will culminate in the student being offered the opportunity to write an
extended essay on one of 2 topics. This will be suitable preparation for the examinations.
Course Content
Unit 1: French Listening
The test will be pre-recorded using native speakers. Only material which is appropriate
to the spoken language will be used in the tests. Each item will be heard twice.

Students’ comprehension will be tested by a range of question types, normally requiring
non-verbal responses or responses in English.
Students will be allowed to make notes during the test. Students will be given 5 minutes’
reading time at the beginning of the test, before the recording is played, to give them
time to read the questions.
Unit 2: French Reading
Only material which is appropriate to the written language will be used in the test.
Students’ comprehension will be tested by a range of question types, normally requiring
non-verbal responses or responses in English.
The test will contain items common to those in Foundation and also material which will
include some complex, unfamiliar language in a range of registers, together with nonfactual
and imaginative material including narrative. Students will be expected to use
their knowledge of grammar and structure in demonstrating understanding of specific
points and of gist/the main message.
They will also be expected to recognise points of view, attitudes and emotions and to
draw conclusions.
Unit3: French speaking and Unit 4: French Writing
Students will complete two controlled assessment tasks. These tasks are untiered.
Differentiation is by outcome, not by task. These may be drawn from the exemplar tasks
we provide or they may be adapted by teachers for their students
Both tasks will be in the form of a dialogue. The tasks will be marked by the teacher and
submitted to AQA for moderation. The work of individual students may be informed by
working with others but they must provide an individual response. Students must not
submit the same task for Speaking and Writing.
Summary of Assessments
Unit 1: French Listening Assessment
• 20% marks
• 40 minutes
• Exam available from June 2010

Unit 2: French Reading Assessment
• 20% marks
• 40 minutes
• Exam available from June 2010
Unit 3: French Speaking Assessment
• 30% marks
• 2 submitted tasks
Unit 4: French Writing Assessment
• 30% marks
• 2 submitted tasks
Assignment Information
Throughout the course there will be self-assessment questions, and tutor marked
questions, to enable students to monitor their progress.
As you work through the course, take time to complete the activities as this will give you
a greater understanding of the subject matter and allow you to practice your new found
knowledge.
These activities do not have to be submitted as they are for your own study.
You should complete your tutor marked assessments as you go through the subject topic
and then submit your completed assignment at the end of every completed subject topic
e.g.: when you have completed the section on Unit 1, section 1, you should complete the
corresponding questions and then submit to your tutor for marking and feedback.
You will find your tutor marked assignment questions at the end of every unit topic.
When you commence the course please contact your tutor to arrange your telephone
tutorial sessions as soon as possible.
Recommended Reading:
Collins Easy Learning French Dictionary (Easy Learning Dictionary) (Paperback)
Publisher: Collins; 4th Revised edition (25 April 2007)

Language English
ISBN-10: 0007253494
ISBN-13: 978-0007253494
AQA GCSE French Higher Student Book
By Oliver Gray), Steve Harrison, M T Bougard, Jean-Claude Gilles, Ginny March
Publisher: Nelson Thornes (29 Jun 2009)
ISBN-10: 1408504243
ISBN-13: 978-1408504246
Expo AQA GCSE French Higher Student Book, 2nd edition by Clive Bell, Rosi McNab
Publisher: Heinemann; 2nd edition (23 Mar 2009)
ISBN-10: 0435720600
ISBN-13: 978-0435720605
The Essentials of AQA GCSE French by S. Harrison
Publisher: Lonsdale Revision Guides (30 Nov 2004)
ISBN-10: 1903068975
ISBN-13: 978-1903068977
Additional Materials
Although no additional course materials are required, students may find it helpful to use
extra resources such as GCSE French textbooks or other sources to supplement their
learning.
A voice-recording machine such as a tape recorder or Dictaphone will be required to
complete some parts of the assessment.
Support
As a student of UK Open Learning you will have access to tutor via email who will mark
your work and guide you through the course to ensure you are ready for your
examinations.
Examination Centres
UK Open Learning will provide you with a list of examination centres but it is entirely
your responsibility to find a centre which will accept you as an external candidate.
In some cases you should be prepared to travel to another town or city to take your
exams.

The contract for sitting exams is between you and the centre and we will provide you
with comprehensive instructions on when and how to deal with the examination centre.
Please email for a list of centres and we will provide you with a link or a PDF for you to
contact centres directly. We are unable to provide this information by telephone
Entry Requirements
Basic English reading and writing skills
Pre-requisites
None
Qualification
GCSE in French
Language of Examination
Units are provided in English only
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do your courses meet the latest syllabus changes?
A. yes, all our course materials meet any changes and will be updated free of charge if
further changes are made.
Q. Why do I have to find a centre myself?
A. We have students all over the UK and Europe and it is impossible for us to arrange
dates and times for individual students.
Q. What if I cannot find an examination centre?
A. If you wish to gain the qualification then be prepared to travel it is worth it!
Q. How much are exam fees?
A. These vary from centre to centre but as a guide they are around £50
Q. Are the courses paper based or on-line?
A. All our courses are paper based and come in attractive sturdy folders.
Q. How do I contact my tutor?

A. Tutors are all working Teachers or Lecturers so contact is by email only.
Q. Why can I not take my exams at when I have completed the course and have to
wait?
A. Exams are taken at the same times as schools and colleges and are not flexible.
Q. I want to take my exams but there are only a few months to study, is this possible?
A. Depending on the time of year, it is sometimes impossible to complete your studies in
a short space of time as your work has to be marked and checked. More importantly the
examination boards have cut off times which are not flexible.
Visit http://web.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private.php
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