MFL speaking chosen theme

[chocorabbit]

DS is at Y11 and is taking a language at school and also another MFL externally, both edexcel if it makes any difference. I would like to ask about the chosen theme as the external examination centre asked us yesterday to choose a topic for his speaking with the deadline being today and I had no idea about it and it was confusing. When we contacted them they said that they sent it in error and the person would ask and get back to us but have not responded to follow up e-mails either.

For context, DS said that for his school MFL he has already chosen theme 1 and he has done a presentation ready for his speaking on a subtopic of topic 1, that being
Theme 1: Identity and culture
Topic 1: Me, my family and friends
"Relationships with family and friends"

Is this alright? Is he limiting his presentation, is it meant to be on more subtopics, or more topics on the theme or the whole theme? Is it meant to be a presentation and then questions followed or solely questions by the examiner. He said on his mocks he just did this and it was fine.

Also, what are we meant to tell the exam centre? That he has chosen a theme, or the topic/subtopic?

At least I know I am going to get straight answers from you!

Thanks.

Hi OP, I am more familiar with AQA board for MFL but as far as I know that is fine. I examined a student for Edexcel last week and they chose a generic theme (schools) rather than a subtopic, but the spec is clear that they can choose a subtopic in that theme and then do a one-minute presentation on the theme as well; this will be followed by questions from the examiner for up to a total of three mins, then a second topic.

It's not clear from your post - has he chosen the same theme for his exam in school and the external one? That should be fine of course as long as the themes are the same in the spec (likely).

He will have a role play, picture task, then 5-6 mins on the chosen theme and one other (examiner has a choice of two of the remaining four themes based on a randomisation grid) HTH.

Sorry so I would let the exam centre know the theme and sub topic chosen. Make sure he tells the examiner on the day as well. Which centre is it (nosy)

Thank you @clary ! That's very useful! I will wait for DS to return from school and I will let the exam centre know.

To answer your question, DS has not chosen a topic for the external centre yet, but does it matter if he chooses the same, I mean will the exam board know about it and consider it bad practice?

May I ask because I din't understand, do they do a presentation on the subtopic and another 1 minute one on the theme as well? Does the theme presentation immediately follow or does the examiner instruct you? So, do you tell the examiner "I will do topic x from theme y" and the examiner expects you to talk about both the topic and the theme? The theme seems very broad to be able to make a presentation about.

I'm sure it won't matter if he chooses the same topic for the two exams. It's not s if he can use the same work, is it - I mean it will be another language!

When is his exam? It is good practice to give reasonable (a couple of weeks') notice so that the examiner can prepare questions.

My understanding is that the candidate can present on their chosen sub topic (so, say, my school day) for one minute, then they will face further general questions on that sub topic and maybe the overall topic (depending how much they extend their answers - with a strong candidate you sometimes only have time for about three questions in three minutes); then general questions on another theme - obviously not covering all possible topics.

So if theme 1 was the second general convo topic, it includes family and friends, food and drink, ICT, festivals and hobbies - obv impossible to cover all those in 3 mins. I usually ask on one sub theme and then move to another if the candidate doesn't have much to say.

That's very helflpful and explains it all! His speaking exam hasn't been arranged yet. The centre just called and said that by tonight we should e-mail them the topic so they can book the speaking exam. I feel much better now. Thank you very much for your time! Btw, I have PMed you the centre.

Surprised they’ve not organised it yet - only got about three more weeks to do it. I’m all done with my external exams for private students now apart from one in 10 days’ time. Anyway best of luck to him

During the past few weeks I have e-mailed them with his school GCSE timetable multiple times (I am surprised they hadn't asked for it in case there were any clashes) and they kept saying that they would eventually do it. Thanks clary