FRENCH/ SPANISH GCSE (New GCSE)

Subject: FRENCH/ SPANISH GCSE (New GCSE)

Number of lessons per fortnight Y10 Blue Band: 6

Students in Year 10 and Year 11 study either French or Spanish according to their option.

French is taught by Mr C. Konan and Ms Z. Von Pfifer and Spanish by Ms A. Garcia and Ms A. Entcheva.

The New GCSE MFL is a two-year course leading pupils to their final exam in Year 11. This is an important course as it provides progression from Key Stage 3 to post-16 studies. This new course will help you to develop your language skills in a variety of contexts. You will be studying 4 major Contexts and Purposes: Lifestyle, Leisure, home and Environment and finally Work and Education. From September 2009 the traditional coursework will be replaced with Controlled Assessments. It means that they will be doing their Speaking and Writing assessments under supervision in class.

Autumn term activities:

During the autumn, pupils reinforce and consolidate their knowledge, understand and discuss issues and opinions, give opinions and full descriptions of topics based on family and friends, leisure activities, future plans and general interests.

Spring term activities:

During the second term pupils are expected, as they progress to understand and discuss issues and opinions, give opinions, give full descriptions and accounts of topics based on travel, public transport, directions, accommodation and local amenities.

Summer term activities:

During the summer term, pupils are expected, as they progress to understand issues and opinions, discuss issues and give opinions, give full descriptions and accounts of topics based on school and college and future plans.

Assessment:

The scheme of assessment require candidates to demonstrate their ability to understand and respond to spoken and written language, communicate in speech, showing knowledge of, and applying accurately the grammar and structures taught in lessons. Pupils will be assessed at the end of each term in order to work out their current GCSE working grade. The work will be graded on an eight point grade scale A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

In addition, pupils are required to complete during the summer term their Unit 1 (Listening) and Unit 2 (Reading) assessment.

Homework:

All pupils receive homework once a week for the language they learn. Students are given a variety of tasks to complete for homework. Homework may also be set that includes research, worksheets and tasks to help towards their controlled assessments.

It is essential that they have a bilingual dictionary at home.

Equipment requirements / recommended texts:

Pupils will be provided with an exercise book and a textbook to use in lessons. A language dictionary will be essential for them to have in order to complete their coursework.

In addition, the standard equipment, a blue/black ink pen, pencil, sharpener, eraser and a ruler will be required.

The purchase of a GCSE French/ Spanish Revision Guide is highly recommended.

Students are encouraged to visit French/Spanish related web sites for help regarding their coursework.

Textbooks:

French: Expo AQA GCSE (Higher) by Heinemann (ISBN 978 0 435

72060 5)

Expo AQA GCSE (Foundation) by Heinemann (ISBN

978 0 435 72061 2)

Spanish: Mira AQA GCSE by Heinemann (ISBN 978 0 435 72061 2)

Useful websites: