Russian GCSE

Russian GCSE

Course Length

One or two years.

The course

By learning a foreign language, you give yourself the chance to see the world in a different way. You will also increase your employability as there is always a demand for people who can speak more than one language. Learning Russian is not just learning a foreign language, and will single you out, as it is quite a bit more challenging than other languages usually learnt at school. But it’s a great and exciting challenge!

This course focuses primarily on the natural use of language in authentic situations. In Out and About, you will cover visitor information, basic weather, local amenities, accommodation, public transport and directions. In Customer Service and Transactions, you will cover cafés and restaurants, shops, and dealing with problems. In Personal Information, you will look at general interests, leisure activities, family and friends, as well as lifestyle (healthy eating and exercise). Finally in Future Plans, Education and Work, you will look at the basic language of the internet, simple job advertisements, simple job applications and CVs, school and college, and work and work experience.

What skills do I need?

You need an interest in languages and the culture of another country and its people.

How is the course assessed?

The assessment consists of four units. In Unit 1 (Listening and Understanding in Russian) you will be tested on your ability to understand spoken Russian. The spoken material heard will include both formal and informal speech. The exam lasts 50 minutes (45 minutes + 5 minutes reading time) and is worth 25% of the total marks. In Unit 2 (Speaking in Russian), you must demonstrate the ability to use Russian for different purposes and in different settings. There are two speaking activities: a role-play, a picture-based discussion related to a chosen theme and a general conversation related to a theme chosen by the examiner. The exam lasts 10-12 minutes and is worth 25% of the total marks.

In Unit 3 (Reading and Understanding in Russian) you will be tested on your ability to understand written Russian. The examination consists of a number of short texts, notices or short news reports in Russian which include a range of settings and styles, both formal and informal (for example text messages, advertisements, emails). There is also a short translation task Russian to English. It lasts 55 minutes and is worth 25% of the total marks. In Unit 4 (Writing in Russian) you will produce two pieces of Russian writing in response to a choice of 4 questions.

The papers reward students for effective communication and knowledge and application of language (as well as accuracy in the second, longer task). You will need to do a short translation English to Russian. The exam lasts 1 hour and 25 minutes and is worth 25% of the total marks.

Reading

Selected Stories
By A. Chekhov
Published by Wordsworth Editions Ltd, ISBN 978-1853262883

Exam Board and Specification Code

Pearson-Edexcel 1RU0

Ana Abad Jara
Head of Department