1. What is it all about? 2016 onwards
GCSE Languages
What is it all about?
2016 onwards

2. The new GCSE: Key features: 5 hours a fortnight
There is no coursework……. All assessments will be in the form of exams at the end of Year 11.
You will see our Foreign Language assistant once a fortnight for help with the speaking element of your exam.
You can be assessed at foundation or higher level (decision will be made in Year 11)
Dictionaries will NOT be allowed in any exam.
All exams will be marked out of 60.
The WJEC have said they will be offering a textbook (????)

3. Study skills required:
The new GCSE:
Study skills required:
Identify general information
Identify an overall message
Find key points / specific details
Opinions
Deducing meaning
Recognising and responding to key information (themes and ideas)
Scanning – organising and presenting information
Drawing inferences / implicit meaning (implied or suggested)

4. The new GCSE:
Themes
All topics covered through Years 10 & 11 can be organised under three broad themes:
Identity & Culture
Wales and the World
Current and future study and employment

5. Current & future study and employment
The new GCSE:
Themes:
Identity & Culture
Wales & the World
Current & future study and employment
Youth Culture
Self & Relationships
Technology & Social Media
Lifestyle
Health & Fitness
Entertainment & Leisure
Customs & Traditions
Food & Drink
Festivals & Celebrations
Home & Locality
Local areas of interest
Travel & Transport
The Wider World.
Local & regional features & characteristics of Germany & German speaking countries.
Holidays & Tourism
Part of this topic area will be a self study module and will need to be completed in the summer between Year 10 & 11.
Global sustainability
Environment
Social Issues
Current Study
School / College life
School / College studies
Enterprise, Employability & Future plans.
Skills & Personal qualities
Post-16 study
Career Plans
Employment

6. UNIT 1 Speaking (25%) (60 marks)
3 parts make up the oral exam:
Roleplay
Photo card
Conversation
You will have 12 minutes preparation time
The overall test will last:
7-9 minutes for foundation tier
10-12 minutes for higher tier
Minimum 10% of marks will come from correct grammar usage
Tasks will be set by the WJEC but the assessment will be carried out by your class teacher
The speaking exam will take place during a 5 week period (April & May) – before the normal exam period!

7. Unit 2 Listening (25%) (60 Marks)
Foundation Tier: 5 minutes reading time / 35 minutes exam.
Higher tier: 5 minutes reading time / 45 minutes exam.
You will need to respond to questions in English and in the Target Language
( % of questions).
There will be a variety of question types:
Multiple choice
Gap-fill
True/False
Short written responses

8. Unit 3 Reading (25%) (60 marks)
Foundation Tier: 1 hour
Higher Tier : 1 Hour 15 minutes.
You will need to respond to questions in English and in the Target Language
There will be a variety of question types:
Multiple Choice
Match-up
Gap-fill one word answers
True / False
Short responses
Completing information in a table
Longer responses
Translation = Assessed Language into English

9. Unit 4 Writing (25%) (60 marks)
Foundation Tier: 1 hour 15 minutes
At foundation level y0u will be required to produce the following:
2 short texts in the Assessed Language (60 words)
An extended piece of writing: , letter or promotional material ( words)
Translation of simple sentences from English into the Assessed Language ( words)

10. Unit 4 Writing (25%) (60 marks)
Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 minutes
At higher level y0u will be required to produce the following:
A piece of writing in the assessed language such as an , letter or promotional material. ( words)
An extended more complex piece of writing such as a letter, , web-page, blog or report ( words)
Translation of a short passage from English into the Assessed Language ( words)

11. Assessments throughout Years 10 & 11.
Throughout Years 10 and 11 there will be a selection of designated activities and exams that will need to be completed. All assessments will aid in preparing you for your final exams in your chosen language. See your schedule of work for more detailed information regarding your assessments.

12. GCSE French / German Summary
5 hours of teaching per fortnight
No coursework
All exams happen at the end of Year 11
Mock exam at end of Year 10
Regular assessments to check progress
Exams
Unit 1 – Speaking. 25% - 60 Marks
Unit 2 – Listening. 25% - 60 Marks
Unit 3 – Reading. 25% - 60 Marks
Unit 4 – Writing. 25% - 60 Marks