Modern Foreign Languages- French

1
GCSE 2009- Delivering the new specification in
September 2009

• Modern Foreign Languages- French

2
Aim of Event

• learn about the total package
• consider the impact of the changes
• develop an understanding of controlled assessment
  and how Edexcel will support this aspect
• understand the assessment implications of the new
  specification
• consider delivery strategies applicable to the
  new specification.

3
Key changes

• Modified Assessment weightings
• Unitised format permits one re-sit per skill
  prior to certification
• Removal of writing coursework examination paper
• Controlled assessments in speaking writing
  which provide choice flexibility
• 2 skills short courses

4
Qualification structure
Assessment

Unit/skill
Edexcel marked
Examination
20
Unit 1 Listening understanding Defined common
topic areas
Centre marked/Edexcel moderated
Controlled assessments
30
Unit 2 Speaking Student/teacher choice of
theme(s)
Edexcel marked
Examination
20
Unit 3 Reading understanding Defined common
topic areas
Edexcel marked
Controlled assessments
30
Unit 4 Writing Student/teacher choice of theme(s)
Option of onscreen assessments available from
2011
5
Availability of units

• U1 Listening Summer only
• U3 Reading Summer only
• U2 Speaking Winter Summer
• U4 Writing - Winter Summer
• 1st assessment opportunity for all units
  Summer 2010
• 1st certification short courses Summer 2010
• full course
  Summer 2011

6
Terminal Rule in GCSE 2009

• QCA has a Terminal Rule for unitised
  qualifications.
• Unitised qualifications offer individual unit
  assessment.
• Candidates are able to resit each unit once.
• The rule states that
• at least 40 of assessment must be taken in final
  exam
• session.
• final exam session is session in which candidates
  are claiming their award.
• the results from these terminal attempts must be
  used for calculation of final grade.

7
U1 Listening understanding and
U3 Reading and understanding

• Learning content
• 4 common topic areas
• Out and about
• Customer service and transactions
• Personal information
• Future plans, education and work

8
Assessment format

• 2 sets of papers sent for each candidate
• Available on paper (2010) also onscreen (2011).
  
• All questions have English titles rubrics.
• Fewer icons.
• Peaks troughs
• Higher Tier Reading paper includes one non-verbal
  question in French.

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Unit 2 Speaking in French

• Learning content
• Media culture
• Sport leisure
• Travel tourism
• Business, work employment
• Centre devised option

10
Assessment format 1

• 2 different tasks from
• 1. Picture-based discussion
• 2. Presentation follow-up discussion
• 3. Open interaction
• Focused content both tasks can relate to one
  specific theme

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Assessment format 2

• Each task 4-6 minutes, conducted in controlled
  conditions
• Centre assessed, Edexcel moderated
• Single assessment criteria grid for all 3 task
• types to facilitate marking - ps 17 - 18 in
  specification
• Focus on communication

12
Speaking controlled assessment

• Task setting
• Edexcel to provide exemplar stimuli
• Teachers may adapt these
• Teachers may create their own
• Tasks should provide opportunities for
  appropriate stretch challenge
• Stimulus in English or French (max 70 words)

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Speaking controlled assessment

• Task taking
• Suggested pattern Phase 1
• teach content linked to an aspect of the chosen
  theme
• practise related task(s)
• unlimited teacher feedback

14
Speaking controlled assessment

• Task taking
• Suggested pattern Phase 2
• set the specific assessment task
• explain task
• candidates prepare task

15
Speaking controlled assessment

• Conduct
• Final tasks done in controlled conditions
• During test, candidates may refer to stimulus (if
  relevant to task) 30 words of notes
• Each test lasts 4 6 minutes
• Teachers assess all speaking tests, Edexcel will
  moderate

16
Support for speaking

• Sample Assessment Materials
• Teachers Guide
• Edexcel GCSE French textbook and linked materials
• SSAT-led programme of training events local
  network support meetings for controlled
  assessment
• Further exemplar student work commentaries

17
Delegate activity

• Picture based discussion

18
Unit 4 Writing in French

• Learning content
• Media and culture
• Sport and leisure
• Travel and tourism
• Business, work and employment
• Centre devised option

19
Writing more freedom

• Candidates produce two separate writing tasks
  which may be linked to the same topic area.
• Greater focus all speaking and writing can be
  linked to one theme if desired.
• However the content and purpose of the tasks set
  must be different.
• Differentiation is by outcome.

20
Assessment format - writing

• It is anticipated that candidates will produce at
  least 100 words for each task.
• However, candidates aiming for grade C or above
  are expected to produce over 200 words in each
  task.
• Assessment criteria 60 marks available each
  task is marked using the grids for
• Communication and Content (15),
• Knowledge and Application of Language (10)
• Accuracy (5).
• All work will be marked by Edexcel.

21
Task setting

• Edexcel tasks may be used as they are or adapted.
• Centres have greater flexibility to create their
  own assessment materials to suit the strengths
  and interests of their candidates.
• Tasks may be set in English or in French.
• If in doubt about the suitability of the task you
  are setting, you may use the AskTheExpert service.

22
Writing controlled assessment

• Task taking
• Suggested pattern Phase 1
• teach content linked to an aspect of the chosen
  theme
• practise related task(s)
• unlimited teacher feedback

23
Writing controlled assessment

• Task taking
• Suggested pattern Phase 2
• set the specific assessment task
• explain task
• candidates prepare task

24
Writing up

• Candidates must complete the two writing tasks in
  controlled conditions in two separate assessment
  sessions lasting no more than 1 hour each.
• Each task must be completed in a single
  assessment session.
• Controlled assessments may be undertaken at any
  time during the course.

25
Support for writing

• Past papers can be adapted.
• Sample assessment material.
• Edexcel GCSE French textbook and linked materials

26
Delegate activity

• Stimuli for controlled writing assessment
• Exemplar writing assessment

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Resources and support

• http//www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/mfl/frenc
  h/Pages/default.aspx
• Edexcel Subject Advisor GCSE Languages
• 0844 576 0035 and LanguagesSubjectAdvisor_at_edexc
  elexperts.co.uk
• gcsefrench_at_edexcelexperts.co.uk
• Further examples of controlled assessment tasks
  available in September 2009