GCSE French

Course Length

Two years.

Knowledge of a second language is now generally recognised as an indispensable tool, whether for going on holiday or for work. French at GCSE level provides students with the essentials of communication, enabling you to describe events and situations and convey your thoughts and feelings to a basic level and develop knowledge and understanding of French grammar. The course covers three broad themes relating to France, Belgium, Switzerland and other Francophone nations/regions: 30

The Specification

AQA French (8658H or 8658F) – Higher Tier (H), for grades 4 – 9; Foundation Tier (F) for grades 1 – 5.

Assessment

Paper 1 Listening
45 mins (H); 35 mins (F) exam | 25%

Paper 2 Speaking
10-12 mins (H); 7-9 mins (F) | 25%

Paper 3 Reading
1 hour (H); 45 mins (F) exam | 25%

Paper 4 Writing
1 hr 15 mins (H); 1 hour (F) exam | 25%

Course Content

Paper 1 Listening
• Section A – questions in English, to be answered in English or non-verbally
• Section B – questions in French, to be answered in French or non-verbally.

Paper 2 Speaking
The format is the same at Foundation Tier and Higher Tier, but with different stimulus questions for the Photo card and different stimulus materials for the Role-play. The timings are different too:

• Role-play – 15 marks (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 2 minutes at Higher Tier)

• Photo card – 15 marks (2 minutes at Foundation Tier; 3 minutes at Higher Tier)

• General conversation – 30 marks (3–5 minutes at Foundation Tier; 5–7 minutes at Higher Tier)

Paper 3 Reading
The format is the same at Foundation Tier and Higher Tier, but with different levels of text.
• Section A – Questions in English, to be answered in English or non-verbally

• Section B – Questions in French, to be answered in French or non-verbally

• Section C – Translation from French into English – a minimum of 35 words (F) and 50 words (H)

Paper 4 Writing
• Foundation: Short message, short passage and a structured writing task in French which presents facts and expresses ideas and opinions; Translation from English into French

• Higher: Structured writing task, plus an openended task where students must express and justify points of view in French where appropriate; Translation from English into French.

Reading List

AQA French Higher
By Various
Published by Oxford Kerboodle,
ISBN 9780198365839 Kerboodle resources online