Speaking and listening AQA English

[DinkyDaisy]

Hello
How important is this? My DS doing this this week and I have heard little about it. The topic he chose initially a bit slight. He has now decided [about a day before] to do something he is more passionate about.
I have told him to speak to his teacher for advice. He is down to the wire here!
I feel irritated not heard more about this from the school or is this a non-event as does not count towards GCSE English Language any more?

I wouldn't describe it as a non-event as most schools in my experience do give it a bit of teaching and student prep time. You're right though, it doesn't count towards English Language grade. It is still published ( distinction/merit/pass) with their results though. He should definitely speak to his teacher if he's not sure of what he's doing.

My DS is just applying to uni and it isn’t on the UCAS form. It is, however, on his GCSE certificates so that might matter to you.

It is paid lip service to in schools as it counts for nothing. No one is interested in it - OFSTED, employers and training providers and HE never ask about it. Now just another hoop for teachers to jump through when it should be an integral part of English results.

Apologies for my ignorance here.
DS my eldest and I took O levels so ancient!
Will it be on list of GCSE results? Do they get separate certificates per subject?
I am irritated if at all important as he could have done well in this but will be a complete rush job tonight [when he decides between 2 topics] and possibly one rehearsal to me.
I have a meeting tonight so will have to leave him to it.
No info to parents from teachers at all [unlike the mocks they have been doing].
His first idea would mean a lot of work tonight as although 'fun' lacks substance and formality. The second he would need to control his passion as he has a lot of knowledge through interest and danger of going on. He would need to do bullet points to control himself!
Thanks for all your advice.

He has decided on the topic he knows most about and has more depth.
The other topic he can perhaps take up in the future as linked to school.
Hope right choice, but by the sound of it, won't matter much if not.
He said a friend of his changed their mind the night before as realised not that into original topic...So hopefully ok.
He has emailed his teacher.

DD2 did hers at the end of year 9, I think. I say I think as she definitely did one, but with zero information from the school it could have been a practice.
I was only aware and on the ball about it as DD1 did hers the second year they didn't count towards the grade (which was a real shame as DD1 was ace at speak just rubbish at writing).
I've not read anywhere about anyone (colleges, universities, employers) caring about the result.

It used to count towards their final GCSE grade- I think it was 20% of the final grade. Now only written final examinations count in final grade. They get a separate mark for S and L which is just that- not a GCSE, not a qualification, counts towards nothing, has no influence in university applications or offers- no one is interested in it.

Phew.
He is supposed to be working on it now.
Just like I am supposed to be working on a report! Ho hum!!!

All went very well.
Thanks all for your information.

One last comment on this.
At 15, way back in the mists of time, this type of public speaking would have stressed me out big time. I would have found it excruciating.
So, although suits people like my ds there must be children like the me of the past.
I wonder if this type of consideration brought the end of it being a proper part of the exam?

A friend's DD refused to do it in public due to anxiety. The school made reasonable adjustment by allowing her to do it in front of her teacher, not the whole class. She got a merit.