GCSE Specification

September 2009

GCSE Summary

• 4 skills – Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing as usual• There are now Themes for Speaking & Writing &

Common Topic Areas for Listening & Reading• Unit weightings have changed – listening & reading are

20% each; speaking & writing are 40% each• A minimum core vocab list is provided for listening &

reading• A grammar list is provided & it is a long one.• We don‘t mark writing but we do mark the oral• No Terminal written exam – rather controlled assessment.• Oral has changed to some degree• You can resit & take modules early but not in the first year

through.

Unit 1 Listening – What‘s changed?

• Marked out of 40 converted to 60 UMS• 20% of total GCSE marks• Terminal exam in June as usual• Foundation 25 mins + 5mins reading time• Higher 35 mins + 5 mins reading time• Variety of Q types + formal & informal language• Onscreen version available• First exam 2011• Vocabulary taken from common topic areas• Recordings are played twice BUT pauses are

built into the CD. Tapes no longer available.

Unit 1 Listening

• All foundation questions will be asked in English plus the usual multiple choice etc.

• Questions will not be laid out in order of increasing difficulty but rather mixed.

• Higher Tier - Overlap „crossover“questions still exist for C/D candidates. TL questions will appear in this tier but after the English ones.

• TL questions & rubrics will be in TL; English questions & rubrics will be in English

Unit 3 Reading

• Marked out of 40 converted to 60 UMS• 20% of total GCSE marks• Terminal exam in June as usual• Foundation 35 mins• Higher 50 mins• Vocabulary taken from common topic areas• Variety of Q types + formal & informal language, variety

of text type.• Material will usually relate to TL country• Onscreen version available• First exam 2011

Unit 3 Reading

• All foundation questions will be asked in English plus the usual multiple choice etc.

• Questions will not be layed out in order of increasing difficulty but rather mixed.

• Higher Tier - Overlap „crossover“questions still exist for C/D candidates. TL questions will appear in this tier but after the English ones.

• TL questions & rubrics will be in TL; English questions & rubrics will be in English

Speaking – What‘s changed?

• Content must relate to 1 or more of the prescribed themes:• Task must not replicate writing task but can

be same theme.• Can use Edexcel proposed tasks• Assessed on ability to use language for

different purposes & in different settings.

Speaking

• Students assessed on 2 tasks which must include:

• A transactional activity and• Either a picture based free flowing discussion• Or a presentation with discussion following• Each activity must last for 4-6 mins• Controlled speaking assessments can be carried

out at any time prior to the deadline.• The unit is set & marked by us.

Speaking

Marking the oral – we mark the oral it can be done as a pair•2 grids are available – 1 for the transactional activity & 1 for the picture / presentation based discussion.•In both grids 18 marks are available for content & response•6 marks for accuracy & 6 marks for range of language•Mark grids Spec P18-19

Writing – Key changes

• There is no terminal exam – i.e no paper 4F or 4H

• There is no coursework as we know it

• These have been replaced by a „Controlled Assessment“ which is actually pretty much coursework done under controlled conditions. All students must do this.

Writing - What do the changes mean for us?

• Students now only do 2 tasks• Higher aim for 200 words & foundation 100 words as before but

specification seems to imply longer pieces as necessary to achieve C+ as opposed to 2 pieces of 50 words. See spec. quote

• Each controlled assessment must be done in 1 sitting of a maximum of 1 hour.

• The task can be given 1 week in advance• Task is marked by Edexcel• Task to be chosen by teacher in consultation with student & must

relate to one of the themes• They must do a different task to unit 2 speaking but it can be the

same theme.• Students must demonstrate the ability to use the language for

different purposes & in different settings.

Writing continued

• Weaker students may complete 2 shorter tasks for 1 unit but these must be done in a single 1 hour assessment session.

• Controlled Assessments may be done at any time during the course prior to the deadline selected for submission of work.

• Marking is global, ie across the tasks submitted by each student. Marked out of 60 & converted to a UMS mark out of 90.

• Weighting of full course 30% - so worth more than before.

Unit 4 Writing

• Marking is done by Edexcel but we will still need to know which pieces to submit.

• 30 marks for communucation & content

• 20 marks for knowledge & application of language

• 10 marks for accuracy

• Mark grids spec P24 - 27

The End

A YCL Production

Quote re writing

• „Students aiming for a grade C or above will need to demonstrate extended writing skills and are expected to produce over 200 words in each task. Centres must limit the work submitted for external marking from these students to 2 pieces of written work.“

Theme Possible related content (speaking & Writing)The following content is indicative only. Students may undertake work on other

topics that relate to the chosen theme.1. Media and culture Music/film/readingFashion/celebrities/religionBlogs/internet2. Sport and leisure Hobbies/interestsSporting eventsLifestyle choices3. Travel and tourism HolidaysAccommodationEating, food, drink4. Business, work and employmentWork experience/part-time jobsProduct or service information5. Centre-devised option This option enables German language learningto be linked to other areas of the curriculum not specified above. Pupils only have to cover 1 theme but can do more

Common topic areas (listening & reading)

Out and about• Visitor information• Basic weather• Local amenities• Accommodation• Public transport• DirectionsCustomer service and transactions• Cafés and restaurants• Shops• Dealing with problemsPersonal information• General interests• Leisure activities• Family and friends

Future plans, education and work• Basic language of the internet• Simple job advertisements• Simple job applications and CV• School and college

Students must do all these topics