GCSE Specification

1
GCSE Specification

• September 2009

2
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 dont 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.

3
Unit 1 Listening Whats 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.

4
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 crossoverquestions 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

5
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

6
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 crossoverquestions 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

7
Speaking Whats 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.

8
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.

9
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

10
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.

11
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.

12
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.

13
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

14
The End

• A YCL Production

15
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.

16

• 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.
• Media and culture
• Music/film/reading
• Fashion/celebrities/religion
• Blogs/internet
• 2. Sport and leisure
• Hobbies/interests
• Sporting events
• Lifestyle choices
• 3. Travel and tourism
• Holidays
• Accommodation
• Eating, food, drink
• 4. Business, work and employment
• Work experience/part-time jobs
• Product or service information
• 5. Centre-devised option
• This option enables German language learning

17
Common topic areas (listening reading)
Out and about Visitor information Basic
weather Local amenities Accommodation
Public transport Directions Customer service
and transactions Cafés and restaurants
Shops Dealing with problems Personal
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