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Secondary education

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Advice on French GCSE Revision

28 replies

WhatwouldTimRigginsdo · 10/02/2023 13:37

I would be very grateful if anyone has any targeted advice on revision for AQA French GCSE post mocks. I know there is a lady who is excellent on MFL who sometimes posts, but I don't know her name.

DD achieved a low 7 in the mocks but is very ambitious and is aiming for a minimum Grade 8. I practiced with her for her speaking mock which went well (c.40/50). Her written work was not bad but her reading mark was poor and she tanked the listening - I can't remember the score but a handful of marks.

I think she has been focused on revising for the speaking, writing, verbs/tenses in recent months and I'm thinking that she has neglected her vocab (which she was fab at in younger years). I've printed off the AQA vocab list and we are trying to incorporate some vocab practice most days in short bursts (in the car, bus, after dinner etc) through physical flashcards as quizlet does not seem to work for her.

For the written section, is it worth trying to write some model answers for each topic? Neither she/nor I have gone through lots of the past papers yet, but I'm wondering if they tend to ask similar style questions on each topic?

She has been watching some Peppa Pig in French on/off since the summer, but given her listening result - I'm thinking thats not working for her.

Any other suggestions or ideas that have worked for people in the past would be much appreciated.

I don't think this particular teacher and her gel in terms of style of teaching/learning and she has done much better with MFL in earlier years/different teachers. The methods for revising humanities, maths & science come more easily to her at this stage.

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 20/04/2023 23:26

Very helpful theead

GoodOnPaper · 03/05/2023 21:32

This is so helpful. My DC is taking theirs in 2024 so these tips are really helpful. Good luck to all those with exams this year :)

changedmyname24 · 05/03/2025 16:29

I know this is an old thread, but I'm really pleased to have come across it so I'm resurrecting it & keeping it!

My DS2 is only Year 9, but in an international school where they have to take 2 languages to GCSE. I'm a linguist so this pleases me greatly 😁 DS is in top set but at parents' evening his French teacher expressed concern over his listening & grammar, so I'm taking steps to work on it now.

He currently watches 20 minutes each of a French & a Spanish programme on Netflix, just so that he is exposed to the language in an enjoyable way. Also has French children's books to read & does Duolingo & BBC bitesize Festilingo.

Funnily enough, he's doing a lot better in Spanish. I know some Spanish but mainly French & German so naturally thought he would veer towards those!

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