English speaking exam a must?

[Garedenhelp]

My year 11 dyslexic son has just come to me to ask if he can have the next 3 days off school as there are English speaking test/presentation!
He isn't very talkative , always get 'he is a quite one' ' needs to ask /answer questions in class' at parents evenings. I think his dyslexia effects him verbally.

Obviously I have said no to being off school. He was then in tears at the thought of having to speak in front of the class, and he has no ideas of what he would talk about. I had no idea there was a test, or I would have helped him prepare the presentation over the half term.

What would the consequences be if he didn't do this test? Does it matter? I mean for his GCSEs not school consequences ie detention.

And would he be able to do the presentation just for the teacher and not the whole class?
Also anyone know if they need to be done this week nationally or if he could do it next week with some preparation.

I have emailed his teacher.

Thanks for any advice

Dc 1 has autism and dyslexia did it as a 1:1 with teacher knew well. Had picture prompts as well as written notes.
Dc2 has autism and selective mutism (although much improved still a big issue) did it 1:1 and was asked minimal questions.

You need to ask for adjustments as with other exams.

Yes, there is a speaking component for GCSE English language, all schools organise this differently and the teacher will be best to advise.

You’re doing the right thing refusing to keep him off. Speaking in front of people is a really important and useful skill, and overcoming that fear is useful for him for the rest of his life.

Very few people enjoy it, and even more rare is the talent to be good at it!

But the only way to do it is to do it.

His topic is usually free choice and the talk can be supplemented with slides/artefacts/playing clips. This can help pace the presentation and stop it feeling overwhelming.

For example, “soundtrack to my life” pick five significant songs and explain why they’re important to you, interspersed with playing short clips of each one, and can factually list the artist, year it was recorded, how it charted etc - fact based talks for shy speakers always work best IME.

Good luck - I hope it goes well.

It's a requirement. You can't do the English language exam without it. If he needs reasonable adjustments then you need to be asking for them.

They don't need to be done this week. Some schools get it over and done with in year 9 or 10. My Y11 DD isn't doing hers until some time in April, I think.

Thank you for the replies so far, I didn't know about it or I would have spoken to them about reasonable adjustments, good to know that's an option. He gets a reader for exams so school hopefully will be supportive of further adjustments. Will have a look through the Ed Psych report to see if there is anything there that backs up an adjustment.

He isnt in to music but thanks for the idea. He does have a hobby so should be able to get pictures from them and do a presentation around that, if we have time to get them together, and if only for the teacher as he would be too embarrassed to show pictures to the class.

Any other presentation tips welcome

Unless you are in Wales, it doesn't count towards their GCSE English language grade. It is shown as a separate entry on their GCSE results and is either Distinction, Merit, Pass or Ungraded. My probably-SEND DS totally freaked out and refused to do his in front of the class and was initially told he would get Ungraded. However, despite a lack of official diagnosis, a kindly teacher took pity on him and he was eventually allowed to do it 1:1. Hopefully he scraped a Pass, but I'm just glad he did it. Don't know why a pp has said you can't do the English language exam without it, it's a totally different thing.

Thanks for the replies.
His Ed Psych report mentions speaking in front of the class being an issue for him and I have emailed the teacher again quoting that and requesting to do it 1 to 1 as a reasonable adjustment. And also letting her know he will be anxious for her class tomorrow incase she calls on him to do is presentation. I'm hopeful she will agree and put his mind at ease before class starts tomorrow.

The gcse speaking doesn't have to be done in front of the whole class. Talk to the school to see what can be arranged.

It doesn't count towards anything in England. It's a total waste of time.

If he doesn't do it, he just won't get a "grade" for it - it'll be ungraded. But it matters not one iota.

It IS a requirement that schools do it with students entered for English though.

Ffs don’t answer questions when you don’t have a clue about them. You don’t have to have the speaking component to pass OP.

In Wales, the WJEC exam for English Language consists of 2 oral exams - an individual and a group of around 3. None require any pupil to speak in front of the whole class.

While I admire your unnecessary rudeness, my son and his entire year group were told that in order to be allowed to sit the written exams for English Language, they had to do the speaking exam AND pass it. It is also very well publicised across exam boards that it is COMPULSARY. Unless a student needs reasonable adjustments, which you will note, I said the OP needs to be asking for, if they are required. So take your "for fucks sake" and kindly stick it elsewhere. Preferably where the sun doesn't shine.

In Scotland children do group discussions and solo talks from the age of five. They are well guided in how to approach it and it forms part of certificate subjects in secondary school but is internally assessed. I have had children approach me to say they are too anxious. I offered them the opportunity to come to my class at lunchtime or after school with three friends and I heard their talk then. I've also had Head of Guidance approach me on a child's behalf and the same offer was given. Not doing the talk at all was never an option and that was made clear. Once I had a particularly anxious class and I told them that they were doing practice group discussions. They immediately relaxed and chatted away on the subject. I went round them listening and at the end told them they had all passed. If they wanted to do another one they could but they didn't have to.

It’s not compulsary.

It’s compulsory.

And even spelt correctly it’s still not compulsory to have it to pass.

Just don’t answer questions you don’t know that answer to, that’s all. And if you have a problem with swearing, probably steer clear of Mumsnet.

Thanks for the comments.
To update. The teacher replied first thing Monfay so befote he left for school, she did say it was compulsory, but that he could do his not in front of the class. He did it at break on Wednesday and passed.

It's part of the English Language GCSE but is a separate grade on their results sheet. It is a compulsory part of the course, but like with all exams, you cannot force a child to complete it.

It is designed to test a students' ability to speak English, and to respond to questions. Future employers or colleges may want to know they are taking on people who can speak.

Most children complete this with their class and their normal teacher. If a child has a SEND diagnosis which impacts their ability to speak, then you can ask the sendco to look at doing it in a slightly different way. This is called access arrangements.

It is compulsory in order to be able to sit the AQA exam. Several children in my son’s class were allowed to do it 1-2-1 / small room / several attempts. All sorts of adjustments.

Sorry just saw he did it and passed - that’s great! Well done !

Great result, OP, your son must be so pleased!

I’m in the US so a different system, but my son’s class had to do presentations recently and at least one person did theirs 1:1 with the teacher. It’s a perfectly reasonable adjustment.

I'm really glad he passed. Well done to him and the teacher for supporting him