Specification/Exam Board

AQA GCSE FRENCH 8658

The GCSE Course is split into three themes which are then examined at the end of the course:

Throughout the whole GCSE course, we ensure coverage of each topic within each theme but we also ensure that there is regular recall of previous topics and vocabulary. We also ensure that we cover topics in a different order from German, so that any pupils studying both languages do not study the same topic in both languages at the same time, except at the very end of the course.

The GCSE course is examined in four skill areas at the end of Year 11, each worth 25% of the overall grade. GCSE French has a Foundation Tier (grades 1–5) and a Higher Tier (grades 4–9). Students must take all four question papers at the same tier.

Curriculum Allocation

French is taught for three 100 minute lessons per fortnight.

Curriculum Period 1:

Curriculum content

1. Describing Home and Neighbourhood

2. Describing holidays

Assessment

The Assessment will focus on Vocabulary Retrieval, Structure Recall, Comprehension Questions and a 40-word Written Essay question. Equal weighting will be given to the two topics listed in the Curriculum Period.

Curriculum Period 2:

Curriculum content

3. Tourism - home and abroad

4. School

5. Daily Life

Assessment

The Assessment will focus on Vocabulary Retrieval, Structure Recall, Comprehension Questions and a 90-word Written Essay question. 

Curriculum Period 3:

Curriculum content

6. Healthy and Unhealthy Lifestyles

7. Jobs

8. Future plans*

Assessment

The Assessment will focus on Vocabulary Retrieval, Structure Recall, Comprehension Questions and a 90-150 word Written Essay question. Equal weighting will be given to each area in this period *except for Future plans which will be delivered after the assessment period.

Revision resources

We provide booklets of knowledge organisers for every topic throughout the GCSE course. Knowledge Organisers contain core structures, key grammatical concepts and an exhaustive vocabulary list. Pupils should use these to revise for vocabulary recall tests throughout the year and for the three formal assessments. We use Quizlet as a tool to promote vocabulary learning and retention.

Subject advice and guidance

If you need any further guidance then please contact either Miss Lafine, or Mr. Eastwood via email:

l.lafine@endon.shaw-education.org.uk

c.eastwood@endon.shaw-education.org.uk