GCSE in second language - how to organise?

[kidsRTW]

Hi, does anyone have any experience in organising kids' GCSE in their second - my first - language? The school doesn't teach it but is more than happy to invigilate / register them etc. I am now stuck with the preparation for written part (mainly) and probably finding another speaker for the speaking exam. There don't seem to be any 'real' teachers about for extra private tuition and even though I have home educated in the past I know full well why they are in school now - isn't going to work so much easier...? I am also getting conflicting advice as to when they should go for it. Especially DD1 wants to get it well out of the way before the other exams hit but I am a bit unsure about her being ready. Any comments?

[mumoverseas]

Hi, can't help with all your queries but have a few comments.
My DS did his french GCSE at age 13 as he was so far ahead of his peers. This was because he had previously gone to an excellent prep school where they started french in the nursery department and then the school he moved to only started french in year 4. He was therefore way ahead and was getting very frustrated and bored in french classes.
I pushed for him to sit it early and although initially the school were very negative about it, they agreed to let him sit it at school and he got an A grade, which was higher than most of the year 11s that sat it (he was in year 9) Obviously the school assisted and allowed him to do the written and oral parts through them.
In my opinion, there is no reason why your DD shouldn't do it early and like you say, it is good to get an exam or two out of the way early, if nothing else, to prepare them for the GCSEs in year 11. My DS is currently doing all the rest of his GCSEs and it has certainly given him more confidence and discipline having already got some under his belt (he did two others as well as french)
He did one of his other GCSEs via a college in the uk, nec who do it by distance learning and they made arrangements for him to sit the exam in a college near where they are in Cambridge. You can obviously do the majority of the tutoring but maybe they can help with the sitting of the exam? Worth a look and good luck to your DD. What language is it by the way?

[ChampagneDahling]

You say you can't find any 'real' teachers for the extra private tuition, but have you tried online tutors? We have done some of this very successfully for gcse, although ds did subject in school as well(although with teacher we considered inadequate). Obviously you need computer and webcam and you can download yahoo or skype or msn to communicate. We used this agency alphatutors who were very good and cost £98 per month for 4 hours tuition, but there are lots of others online.

Worth considering and good luck

[kidsRTW]

Thanks, I hadn't thought about the web option(s)! The issue with 'real' teachers is obviously also the geographic logistics with 3 kids and my job. It is mainly the written parts that i am worried about, especially as DD1 is dyslexic. Speaking is fine as I hear them all on the phone to their friends in Germany (German being the language in question) chatting away frustratingly fluently whilst subbornly speaking to me in English only - the latter being very common, though, as far as I know.

[notyourservant]

Hi kids - where in the country are you? I am a German teacher, have put loads of kids through GCSE. Maybe I could help.

[kidsRTW]

That's very kind, thank you. I am in Worcestershire.
Any help would be fantastic, maybe even by phone or mail might be fine if I get stuck. It is a lot of the edu- speak and nitty gritty that I struggle with even though the school is very supportive they take the 'whatever you want to do ' approach.
Are you local at all?

[Bramshott]

How about trying to source the extra tuition through a local FE college or independent school?

[designergirl]

Could they do the coursework option instead of a written exam? Two of the written pieces of work they cld do with reference materials.

[notyourservant]

Hi again kids.

I'm not local I'm afraid. If you want to know anything specific about German GCSE, you can email me: sophiavonkuhn at hotmail dot com.

[fatzak]

I've worked for company in the past. I tutor GCSE French - am sure that there will be plenty teachers offering GCSE German.

[fatzak]

Link doesn't seem to be working.

www.personal-tutors.co.uk/

[kidsRTW]

thanks all, good ideas! I recently had a useful discussion with the school and we have gone for the old style coursework option with external marking rather than the new controlled assessment in view of DD's dyslexia. now all I need is some idea on a systematic approach to teaching her more formally. any suggestions welcome!