Transcript GCSE Specification

GCSE Specification
September 2009
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 don‘t 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.
Unit 1 Listening – What‘s changed?
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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.
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 „crossover“questions 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
Unit 3 Reading
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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
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 „crossover“questions 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
Speaking – What‘s 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
The End
A YCL Production
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.“
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.
1. 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
to be linked to other areas of the curriculum not specified above.
Pupils only have to cover 1 theme but can do more
Common topic areas (listening & reading)
Out and about
Future plans, education and work
• Visitor information
• Basic language of the internet
• Basic weather
• Simple job advertisements
• Local amenities
• Simple job applications and CV
• Accommodation
• School and college
• Public transport
• Directions
Customer service and transactions
• Cafés and restaurants
• Shops
• Dealing with problems
Personal information
• General interests
• Leisure activities
• Family and friends
Students must do all these topics