Why take GCSE French / GCSE Spanish ?
If you enjoy communicating with other people, finding out how language works and learning about different countries and cultures, studying GCSE Spanish and/or GCSE French is an excellent choice for you!
Here are just some of the benefits ……………
- You will be able to share your interests, ideas and opinions with other people who speak Spanish and French.
- You will learn about the countries where Spanish and French are spoken and get a lot more out of a trip there.
- You will add an international dimension to your choice of GCSE subjects, which is something many future employers and higher education providers look for.
- You will learn many skills which are useful in a wide range of careers, such as the ability to communicate clearly, being confident about speaking in public, using problem-solving strategies, etc.
- You will create greater opportunities for yourself to work abroad, or for companies in the UK with international links. Many employers look for people who speak a foreign language.
- 94% of the world’s population does not speak English as their first language.
- 75% do not speak English at all.
- 60% of UK trade is with non-English speaking countries.
- Recent research* has shown that French, German and Spanish are the top three business languages most in demand in the UK.
- Customers addressed in their own language are three times more likely to buy.
- Speaking languages gives you access to a whole new world – music, the Internet, cultural history, people you would never otherwise have met.
- According to recruitment agencies, salary uplift for those using languages at work can be anything from 8% to 20%, depending on how central languages are to the job.
Industries offering opportunities for people with language skills:
- Business, Administration and Finance
- Central government
- Construction
- Contact centres
- Engineering
- Marketing
- Media
- Technology
- Travel and Tourism
- Voluntary and Charitable Sector
The following companies have recently advertised posts with languages:
- Adobe
- Amazon.co.uk
- Apple
- Hilton
- Kodak
- Metropolitan Police
- Microsoft
- PartyPoker.com
- Zara
(*CBI/Edexcel Education and Skills survey)
Which course options are available ?
In Year 9, students will be able to take a one-year GCSE course in the foreign language that they have studied in Year 7 and Year 8.
If they want to, they can then take a GCSE in their second foreign language from scratch with a two-year course in Year 10 and Year 11.
This is not obligatory but highly recommended for those who perform well in their first foreign language.
Please note - this course is also open to those who did not opt for the Year 9 course in their first foreign language.
Students intending to continue with one or both foreign languages at sixth form college will be offered ‘top-up’ sessions to refresh their language skills until they leave.
What form does the course take ?
The course consists of a series of engaging lessons using a range of technology and teaching methods that will cater for a variety of learning styles.
You will improve your Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing skills in French/Spanish exploring different topics such as:
- Media and Culture
- Sport and Leisure
- Travel and Tourism
- Business, Work and Employment
What form does the assessment take ?
The brand new GCSE offers more flexibility as regards assessment.
Listening and Reading
Listening and Reading are each assessed by a final exam in June.
Students can take either a Foundation or a Higher exam paper in each skill.
Speaking and Writing
The controlled assessments for Speaking and Writing can be done at any time during the academic year, as long as they are submitted for moderation in May.
The topic for the Speaking and Writing assessments may be the same but the purpose of the tasks must be different.
Examples of Speaking tasks:
- A conversation with a Spanish/French exchange student about free-time activities.
- An imaginary interview with a French-speaking/Spanish-speaking celebrity.
- An interview for a summer job in a French-speaking/Spanish-speaking country.
Examples of Writing tasks (done on paper):
- A web page to promote a sports centre to French-speaking/Spanish-speaking visitors.
- A publicity leaflet about a festival for French-speaking/Spanish-speaking visitors.
- A blog for French/Spanish e-pals about a week off school.
- A description of a dream holiday in French/Spanish in order to win a competition.
SKILL |
HOW MUCH DOES IT COUNT TOWARDS THE FINAL GRADE ? |
HOW WILL IT BE ASSESSED ? |
LISTENING |
20 % |
FINAL EXAM |
READING |
20 % |
FINAL EXAM |
SPEAKING |
30 % |
2 Controlled Assessments |
WRITING |
30 % |
2 Controlled Assessments |
For more information, please see Mrs Graham or Miss Allen in the languages department
