GCSE Languages – French, German, Spanish
Subject leader: Mr S Francis
Exam board: Edexel
Course Description:
The aim of the GCSE course is to provide you with the necessary tools and skills to communicate in languages from around the world. After completing a GCSE in a language, you will be at the point where you will be able to start to do this effectively and a world of opportunity will then be open to you. You will learn transferable skills such as decoding, deduction and communication, as well as enhancing your cultural knowledge through the study of Spanish, French and German-speaking communities and countries.
The chance to study a new language is both a privilege and a challenge, and you should not be deterred by not understanding every word. GCSE linguists develop the flexibility and resilience to work out meaning and understand what the important information is in each interaction.
You will develop your ability to produce language in both written and spoken forms, including working on phonics and pronunciation to develop a good accent, as well as to understand spoken and written language and to improve your comprehension skills.
We suggest that you should continue with the language you have studied in Years 7, 8 and 9, but always welcome students who wish to pick up a second language. Please speak to your teacher, or to Mr Francis (CTL Languages) if this is the case.
Course Units
A new GCSE for languages was launched in September 2024, with the course being changed to be more reflective of modern society, with more accessible exams and opportunities for learners to express themselves.
The structure of the course is the same for Spanish, French and German GCSEs.
There are 16 themes covered in the GCSE. You will learn to discuss all of the topics below, and more, in French, German or Spanish:
- Family, Friends, Relationships and Equality
- Physical well-being, Mental well-being, Food and Drink, Sports
- Town and transport, shopping, the natural world, the environment
- Social media and gaming, the future (work and travel), TV and film, music
- School
As well as these topics, you will develop your understanding of culture, difference and intercultural understanding in French, German and Spanish-speaking communities from around the world, as well as engaging with authentic, real-world texts.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. All papers represent 25% of the overall grade, contributing equally.
Speaking: 9 minutes (foundation), 12 minutes (higher tier) – read aloud pronunciation task, role play task, photo description and general conversation
Listening: 45 minutes (foundation), 1 hour (higher) – short comprehension tasks, dictation gap-fill. All tracks are heard three times.
Reading: 45 minutes (foundation), 1 hour (higher) – mix of short and long comprehension tasks and a short translation from French, German or Spanish into English
Writing: 1hr15 minutes (foundation), 1hr30 minutes (higher) – mix of shorter and longer writing pieces and a translation into Spanish
Why should I study this course?
Student Quote:
“I feel so much more confident, braver and smarter learning a language! It’s like finding a whole new side to myself that I never knew existed.”
