GCSE French November 2008

Why revise specifications? To conform to the rules of the Regulatory Authorities. To ensure that content and assessment reflect the needs of learners and the needs of the society, economy and environment in which they live and work. To provide teachers, lecturers and tutors with top-class qualifications that are refreshingly relevant, stimulating and rewarding for their learners.

The process of revision Key activities have included: Identification of subject criteria in collaboration with QCA and all other UK regulatory bodies. Consultation and communication with stakeholders.

Consultation Phase 1 Online consultation with teachers on our current specifications Phase 2 Online consultation with teachers on our revised specifications Subject specific Workshops Subject Advisory Teams And Equality Impact Assessment

Key Changes Controlled assessment Unitisation Teachers mark speaking tasks No separate assessment for short course languages

Response to Feedback Reduce content 3 contexts for learning Link to Key Stage 3 3 contexts linked to revised curriculum objectives

Assessment 4 Assessment Objectives: –AO1 Listening –AO2 Speaking –AO3 Reading –AO4 Writing Assessment Types: –60% Controlled assessment – speaking and writing –40% Written papers – listening and reading

Assessment Weightings: –Speaking and Writing 30% each –Listening and Reading20% each Unitised –Unit 1 – available every summer from 2010 –Unit 2 – available every summer from 2010 –Unit 3 – available every summer from 2011 –Unit 4 – available every summer from 2011

Assessment Short course languages –No separate assessments –Either speaking and listening –Or writing and reading

Units Unit 1 Speaking (30%) –Candidates complete 2 controlled assessment tasks –Each worth 30 marks –Teachers mark tasks using mark scheme –CCEA moderates marking –Available every summer from 2010 Unit 2 Writing (30%) –Candidates complete 2 controlled assessment tasks –Each worth 30 marks –CCEA marks tasks –Available every summer from 2010

Units Unit 3 Listening (20%) –One written paper – worth 40 marks –Foundation and higher tiers –Foundation 35 minutes –Higher 45 minutes –Available every summer from 2011 Unit 4 Reading (20%) –One written paper – worth 40 marks –Foundation and higher tiers –Foundation 40 minutes –Higher 50 minutes –Available every summer from 2011

Contexts for Learning 3 Contexts for learning The Individual / Citizenship / Employability –The Individual Relationships: families and friends Local environment: advantages and disadvantages Activities: daily routine and leisure activities Health and lifestyle: diet, exercise and illness

Contexts for Learning –Citizenship Social issues: problems in society and equality Travel and tourism: destinations and choices Environmental issues: attitudes to and responsibilities for litter, transport, energy, conservation and recycling Media and communications Celebrations: festivals and customs

Contexts for Learning –Employability School life Part-time jobs: advantages and disadvantages Future plans: choices and expectations

Controlled Assessments Why controlled assessment? –to make assessments More valid and reliable Less formulaic and predictable More manageable for students and teachers –to support Good teaching and learning

Controlled Assessments Why controlled assessment? –to allow Teachers to confidently authenticate students’ work –to ensure Assessment judgements are of the highest quality –to discourage and detect Assessment malpractice

Controlled Assessments 3 stages – levels of control SpeakingWriting Task settingLow Task takingMediumHigh Task markingMediumHigh

Controlled Assessments Task setting –Centres may use exemplar tasks / adapt / create own tasks Task taking - Stage 1 (preparation) –Speaking - candidates work under informal supervision / can work in small groups / teacher feedback permitted –Writing – candidates work under informal supervision / work completed independently / teacher feedback permitted

Controlled Assessments Task taking -Stage 2 (final production of task) –Speaking - candidates complete task under formal supervision / teacher feedback not permitted / pro forma permitted –Writing – candidates complete task under formal supervision / teacher feedback not permitted / pro forma and dictionary permitted

Controlled Assessments Task marking –Speaking – teachers mark tasks / CCEA moderates centres’ marking –Writing – CCEA marks tasks

Controlled Assessments Unit 1 – Speaking –Candidates take 2 tasks – one of which is a conversation –Task setting exemplar / adapt / create own –Task taking individually / pairs / groups –Task marking teachers mark tasks using CCEA mark schemes CCEA moderates

Controlled Assessments Unit 1 – Speaking –Mark schemes: – communication (15) – grammar and structures (10) – pronunciation and intonation (5) Training sessions Agreement trials

Controlled Assessments Unit 2 – Writing –Candidates take 2 tasks Task setting – exemplar / adapt / create own Task taking – individual Task marking – CCEA marks tasks

Review of specimen assessment materials Review specimen listening and reading papers Controlled assessment tasks –Section 6 from page 14 –Appendix 1 from page 24 Mark schemes –Speaking Appendix 2 from page 31 –Writing Appendix 2 page 33

Planned support for languages General –Resource packs being produced Speaking –Training events –Agreement trials –Guidance on adapting / creating tasks –Guidance and support on questions for tasks

Planned support for languages Writing –Guidance on adapting / creating tasks –Guidance on task taking Suggestions –What you need –Contact me by / via micro site

Our Support Programme GCSE Support event dates: March 5 th Corr’s Corneram March 13 th Tullylaganpm

Our Support Programme Training events Agreement trials Exemplification of standards (September – November 2011) Micro site french micro site.pptfrench micro site.ppt

Staying informed For information on all our support events go to Click on the Events icon (top left)

Our Support Programme e-Support Package Subject micro-sites The revised specification Exemplar papers and mark schemes Resource packs Student Guides Controlled assessment guidance material Chief Examiner’s reports

Our commitment to you In person A local team fully committed to supporting you Accessible subject officers and specification support officers Tailored guidance from a subject specialist Centre visits

GCE Support Update Resource packs available on micro site A2 Support days in March 2009 –March 5th Corr’s Corner pm –March 13 th Tullylagan am

Contact details Officer with Subject responsibility Clare McNicholl Specification Support Officer Vacant Distribution