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Which Board for GCSE MFL? A Comparative Overview for MFL Departments
The following is a brief overview of four exam boards and has been taken from the draft specifications for those awarding bodies. This document has been
prepared to try to help busy Heads of Department/Faculty Leaders get to grips with the new draft specifications. The exam board specifications considered
set out their information in a variety of ways and with differing levels of details. To download draft specifications:
AQA http://www.aqa.org.uk
French http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/french-8658
German http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/german-8668
Spanish http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/spanish-8698
Edexcel http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html
French http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/french-2016.html
German http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/german-2016.html
Spanish http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/spanish-2016.html
Eduqas http://www.eduqas.co.uk
French http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/french/gcse/
German http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/german/gcse/
Spanish http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/spanish/gcse/
OCR http://www.ocr.org.uk/
F/G/SP http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/207218-specification-draft-gcse-french-german-and-spanish-j720-j721-j722.pdf
This document attempts draw out the main parallels between exam board specifications and does not make any recommendations about any particular exam board. PLEASE NOTE: Herts for Learning does not accept responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies in this comparison document and MFL department leaders should check the detail of the relevant specifications before making their final decisions in their choice of exam board. PLEASE NOTE that since this document was published OCR gave notice of the withdrawal of French, German and Spanish GCSE, AS and A Levels in an official statement on its website.
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AQA AQA Foundation Tier Grades 5-1 Higher Tier Grades 9-4
Marks and Timings FOUNDATION
Question Types FOUNDATION
Marks and Timings HIGHER
Question Types HIGHER
List
enin
g Written paper 40 marks 35 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)
Section A: Qs set in English, answers in English/non-verbal Section B: Qs set in French, answers in French/non-verbal
List
enin
g Written paper 50 marks 45 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)
Section A: Qs set in English, answers in English/non-verbal Section B: Qs set in French, answers in French/non-verbal
Spea
kin
g
Non-exam assessment (Speaking test) 60 marks 7–9 minutes + approx. 10-12 minutes prep time
Format same for H & F but: • different stimulus Qs [Photo Card] • different stimulus materials for RP • T2 & 3 timings shorter for F Tier T1: Role-play [15 marks/2 mins] T2: Photo card [15 marks/2 mins]
T3: Conversation [30 marks/(3–5 mins] T1 Role-Play: stimulus card prepared during preparation time. Students will answer questions (inc. unexpected questions) and ask 1 Q. T2 Photo card: stimulus card, to be prepared by the student during preparation time. Students will answer 5 questions. T3 Conversation: 2 themes not covered on Photo card. Roughly equal time spent on each student will choose a theme to start. NB allowance for ‘repair strategies’? Refer to past, present and future events.
Spea
kin
g
Non-exam assessment (Speaking test) 60 marks 10 – 12 minutes + approx. 10-12 minutes prep time
Format same for H & F but: • different stimulus Qs [Photo Card]
• different stimulus materials for RP. • T2 & 3 timings longer for H Tier
T1: Role-play [15 marks/2 mins] T2: Photo card [15 marks/3 mins]
T3: Conversation [30 marks/(5–7 mins]
T1 Role-Play: stimulus card prepared during preparation time. Students will answer questions (inc. unexpected questions) and ask 1 Q. T2 Photo card: stimulus card, to be prepared by the student during preparation time. Students will answer 5 questions. T3 Conversation: 2 themes not covered on Photo card. Roughly equal time spent on each student will choose a theme to start. NB allowance for ‘repair strategies’? Refer to past, present and future events.
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Rea
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g
Written paper 60 marks 45 minutes
Section A: Qs set in English, answers in English/non-verbal Section B: Qs set in French, answers in French/non-verbal Section C: translation Fr > Eng (min. 35 words).
Rea
din
g
Written paper 60 marks 1 hour
Section A: Qs set in English, answers in English/non-verbal Section B: Qs set in French, answers in French/non-verbal Section C: translation Fr > Eng (min. 50 words).
Wri
tin
g
Written paper 50 marks 1 hour
Q1: list task (six nouns) [6 marks] Q2: message task (9 sentences /approx. 60 words) [18 marks] Q3: translation Eng > Fr (min 35 words) [10 marks] Q4: structured writing task from a choice of 2 Qs (5 compulsory bullet points, approx 90 words) [16 marks] This is the cross-over task for H Tier.
Wri
tin
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Written paper 60 marks 1 hour 15 minutes
Q1: structured writing task from a choice of 2 Qs (5 compulsory bullet points, approx 90 words) [16 marks] Q2: open-ended writing task from a choice of 2 Qs (4 compulsory bullet points, approx 150 words) [32 marks] Q3: translation Eng > Fr (min 50 words) [12 marks].
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Edexcel Edexcel Foundation Tier Grades 5-1 Higher Tier Grades 9-4
Marks and Timings FOUNDATION
Question Types FOUNDATION
Marks and Timings HIGHER
Question Types HIGHER
List
enin
g
Written paper 50 marks 35 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)
• Multiple-response • Short-answer open • No written responses Fr Section A: 12 Qs set in English. Section B: 2 multiple-response Qs set in French. Four of the questions will be common to both tiers.
List
enin
g
Written paper 50 marks 45 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)
•Multiple-response • Short-answer open • No written responses Fr Section A: 2 multiple-response Qs set in French. Section B: 8 multiple-response/short-answer open Qs set in English. Four of the questions will be common to both tiers.
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Spea
kin
g
Non-exam assessment (Speaking test) 60 marks 7–9 minutes + 12 minutes preparation time
T1: 1 x RP [10 marks] Approx 1-1.5 minutes. T2: 1 x PIC task [20 marks] Approx 2.5-3 minutes. T3: Conversation [30 marks] Approx 3.5-4.5 minutes. Can make notes and refer to them for T1 & T2 (max x 1 side A4) but not for T3. No dictionaries allowed. Ask and answser Qs inc unpredictable Q. Role-Play P Foundation: •5 bullet points •5 utterances •ask 1 Q • answer 1 unpred Q •present tense only Picture-task Foundation: • pic with 5 bullets Conversation F & H: First half: student begins with chosen topic (max 1 minute). Teacher moves conversation on to other topics within the same theme. Second half: introduces a new theme (not chosen) and covers range of topics across that theme. Both halves should be an equal amount of time. Students should:
Spea
kin
g
Non-exam assessment (Speaking test) 72 marks 10 – 12 minutes +12 minutes preparation time
T1: 1 x RP [10 marks] Approx 1-1.5 minutes. T2: 1 x PIC task [20 marks] Approx 2.5-3 minutes. T3: Conversation [30 marks] Approx 3.5-4.5 minutes. Can make notes and refer to them for T1 & T2 (max x 1 side A4) but not for T3. No dictionaries allowed. Ask and answser Qs inc unpredictable Q. Role-Play Higher: •6bullet points •6 utterances •ask 2 Qs • answer 2 unpred Qs •present & past or future. Picture-task Higher: • pic with 5 bullets + 1 undpredictable (!). Conversation F & H: First half: student begins with chosen topic (max 1 minute). Teacher moves conversation on to other topics within the same theme. Second half: introduces a new theme (not chosen) and covers range of topics across that theme. Both halves should be an equal amount of time. Students should:
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Rea
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g
Written paper 50 marks 45 minutes
• Multiple-response • Short-answer open • Trans TL > Eng [xxx] F & H: 10 Qs Foundation & Higher: Section A: 6 multiple-response/short-answer open response Qs set in Eng. Foundation: Section B: 3 multiple-response Qs set in Fr. Section C: translation from French > English. Four of the questions are common to both tiers.
Rea
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Written paper 50 marks 1 hour
• Multiple-response • Short-answer open • Trans TL > Eng [xxx] F & H: 10 Qs Foundation & Higher: Section A: 6 multiple-response/short-answer open response Qs set in Eng. Higher: Section B: 2 multiple-response Qs and 1 short-answer open response Q. Section C: translation from French > English. Four of the questions are common to both tiers.
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Wri
tin
g Written paper 60 marks 1 hour 10 minutes
Instructions in French. Recommended WCs given but students not penalised for +/- WC or additional content. 3Qs and x1 translation Eng > Fr. Q1: students write to describe and to express opinions. Q2: students write to note down key points and convey Information using formal register. Q3: choose 1 of 2 options. Write to convey information, narrate, express opinions and to interest and convince. Q3 = overlap question is for higher tier. Q4: translation from English > French in which sentences are ordered by increasing level of difficulty.
Wri
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g
Written paper 60 marks 1 hour 20 minutes
Instructions in French. Recommended WCs given but students not penalised for +/- WC or additional content. 2 Qs and x1 translation Eng > Fr. Q1: choose 1 of 2 tasks (convey information, narrate, express opinions, interest and convince using formal register). Q1 = overlap question is for Foundation tier. Q2: choose 1 of 2 tasks (convey information, narrate, express and justify ideas and opinions, and interest or convince using the formal register). Q3: translation from English > French in which sentences are ordered by increasing level of difficulty.
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EDUQAS EDUQAS Foundation Tier Grades 5-1 Higher Tier Grades 9-4
Marks and Timings FOUNDATION
Question Types FOUNDATION
Marks and Timings HIGHER
Question Types HIGHER
List
enin
g
Written paper 40 marks 35 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time).
Listening comprehension tasks with non-verbal and written responses. A range of questions in English & French. Question types will include:
• multiple choice (NV & written)
• gap-fill one word answers
• selecting correct/false statements
• short-answer responses. The spoken extracts will increase in complexity as the paper progresses.
List
enin
g
Written paper 50 marks 45 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time).
Listening comprehension tasks with non-verbal and written responses. A range of questions in English & French. Question types will include:
• multiple choice (NV & written)
• gap-fill one word answers
• selecting correct/false statements
• short-answer responses. The spoken extracts will increase in complexity as the paper progresses Listening comprehension tasks with non-verbal and written responses.
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Spea
kin
g
Non-exam assessment (Speaking test) 60 marks 7–9 minutes + approx. 10-12 minutes prep time
T1: Role-play [15 marks/2 mins]. Asking and answering questions and responding to unexpected questions T2: Photo card [15 marks/2 mins] Same theme as RP but different sub-theme. Student given photo stimulus and 2 seen questions. 2 unseen questions asked by teacher/examiner. T3: Conversation [30 marks/(3–5 mins] Covers content from two of the three broad themes which will be different from one in RP and PC discussion. During prep time candidate can decide on sub-theme for start of conversation task. Candidate may make notes during prep time and refer to these notes during the assessment*. No restriction on number of words or the material which the notes contain, but the notes must not constitute a script of complete and continuous sentences.
Spea
kin
g
Non-exam assessment (Speaking test) 60 marks 10 – 12 minutes + approx. 10-12 minutes prep time
T1: Role-play [15 marks/2 mins]. Asking and answering questions and responding to unexpected questions T2: Photo card [15 marks/3 mins] Same theme as RP but different sub-theme. Student given photo stimulus and 2 seen questions. 2 unseen questions asked by teacher/examiner. T3: Conversation [30 marks/(5-7 mins] Covers content from two of the three broad themes which will be different from one in RP and PC discussion.
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Rea
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g
Written paper 60 marks 60 minutes
A range of questions in English and also in French. Question types will include: •multiple choice with NV responses •match-up responses •gap-fill one word answers •selecting correct/false statements •short answer responses •completing information in a table •longer responses Translation Fr > Eng (approx. 35-40 words).
Rea
din
g
Written paper 60 marks 1 hour 15 minutes
A range of questions in English and also in French. Question types will include: •multiple choice with NV responses •match-up responses •gap-fill one word answers •selecting correct/false statements •short answer responses •completing information in a table •longer responses Translation Fr > Eng (approx. 50-55 words).
Wri
tin
g
Written paper 60 marks 1 hour 15 minutes
Writing tasks will include: •a short text in the assessed language • a short text with specified content (approx 60 words) • an extended piece of writing with some specified content (approx 90-120 words). This is the cross-over task for Higher. • a translation of simple sentences from Eng > Fr (35-40 words).
Wri
tin
g
Written paper 60 marks 1 hour 30 minutes
Writing tasks will include:
•a piece of writing in the assessed language with some specified content (approximately 90-120 words)
• an extended more complex piece of writing (approx 150-180 words)
•a translation of a short passage from Eng > French (50-55 words).
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OCR OCR Foundation Tier Grades 5-1 Higher Tier Grades 9-4
Marks and Timings FOUNDATION
Question Types FOUNDATION
Marks and Timings HIGHER
Question Types HIGHER
List
enin
g
Written paper 40 marks 35 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)
•Multiple-choice • Non-verbal response • Short-answer • Overlap Qs = 8 marks • Qs in TL = 8 marks
List
enin
g
Written paper 40 marks 45 minutes (including 5 minutes reading time)
•Multiple-choice • Non-verbal response • Short-answer • Overlap Qs = 8 marks • Qs in TL = 8 marks
Spea
kin
g
Non-exam assessment (Speaking test) 40 marks 7–9 minutes + 10–12 minutes preparation time
Section 1: text stimulus 2 minutes Ask & answer x 2 Qs Section 2: picture stimulus 3 minutes ( = overlap Q). Answer Qs about picture. Q1 seen, Q2 & Q3 unseen. Section 3: conversation 2–4 minutes. Answer unseen Qs linked to Section 2b. No dictionaries allowed. Can make notes in preparation time.
Spea
kin
g
Non-exam assessment (Speaking test) 40 marks 10 – 12 minutes + 10–12 minutes preparation time
Section 1: text stimulus 2 minutes Ask & answer x 2 Qs Section 2: picture stimulus 3 minutes ( = overlap Q). Answer Qs about picture. Q1 seen, Q2 & Q3 unseen. Section 3: conversation 5–7 minutes. Answer unseen Qs linked to Section 2b. No dictionaries allowed. Can make notes in preparation time.
Rea
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g
Written paper 50 marks 1 hour
• Multiple-choice • Non-verbal response • Short-answer • Trans TL > Eng [35-40w] • Overlap Qs = 10 marks • Qs in TL = 15 marks
Rea
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Written paper 50 marks 1 hour 15 minutes
• Multiple-choice • Non-verbal response • Short-answer • Trans TL > Eng [50-55w] • Overlap Qs = 10 marks • Qs in TL = 15 marks
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Wri
tin
g Written paper 50 marks 1 hour
Qs 1 & 2: write 2 short texts Marks for relevance, Structure, task achievement, language variety and accuracy. Q3: overlap F/H tier. Marks for describing, giving information, expressing and justifying thoughts and opinions and narrating with reference to past, present or future events. See also marking comments above. Q4: Translation Eng > TL [35-40w]. No dictionaries allowed.
Wri
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g
Written paper 50 marks 1 hour 15 minutes
Q1: is overlap F/H tier. Marks for describing, giving information, expressing and justifying thoughts and opinions and narrating with reference to past, present or future events. See also marking comments Q1&2 Foundation. Q2: write an article or report. Marks for presenting facts and/or describing, expressing ideas and/or opinions with justifications, and making suggestions and/or recommendations and/or to persuading. Marks for relevance, Structure, task achievement, language variety and accuracy. Q3: Translation Eng > TL [50-55w].
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