The document discusses the benefits of the new GCSE qualifications in languages and provides information about controlled assessment. It outlines that GCSE languages will now have 60% coursework assessment, allowing teachers more control over content and timing. Challenges for teachers include rethinking how speaking is taught and assessed to prepare students for new tasks. Sample assessment criteria for the GCSE speaking exam are also presented.

1. Joined Up! Rachel Hawkes [email_address] www.rachelhawkes.typepad.com/linguacom The benefits of the new GCSE

2. To give a brief overview of the main changes to the GCSE specification To look at implications for the way we teach speaking To listen to a sample GCSE speaking test and assess using new criteria To share ideas and practice for curriculum planning and assessment organisation and management Aims of this session Rachel Hawkes

3. Curriculum design at key stages 2 and 3 has an impact on pupils’ desire to choose a language The option system makes it easy for pupils to choose a language There is a choice of qualifications at key stage 4 There is much informal discussion about options and encouragement to choose a language All pupils are offered the opportunity to enjoy and achieve in languages The languages department has high status in the school and support from the senior leadership is strong Pupils understand the importance of learning a language Maximising take-up in languages at KS4 (1) QCA Survey – taken from Chris Maynard presentation 2008

4. There is a commitment to providing good resources and the languages department is well staffed Behaviour in school and in languages classes is good Parents are informed about how well their child is doing at an appropriate time Pupils think they are well taught and enjoy the lessons, especially in Years 8 and 9 Relationships between staff and pupils are strong There are several trips and extra-curricular activities Pupils know how they are doing and how to improve Pupils are helped to organise their work Maximising take-up in languages at KS4 (2) QCA Survey – taken from Chris Maynard presentation 2008

5. GCSE subjects will have 0%, 25% or 60% CA Percentage fixed for each subject, not optional MFL has 60% CA, covering S & W with up to 10% allowed for L/R Minimum two tasks for each component (S & W) Tasks must require candidates to use language for different purposes Three possibilities for schools: - Use exemplar tasks provided by awarding body - Adapt awarding body tasks - Design your own tasks within defined parameters GCSE controlled assessment (1) taken from Chris Maynard presentation 2008

6. Writing (& reading) “ Informal supervision” of preparation Awarding body indicates what teacher support is allowed Candidates must complete work independently under controlled conditions Candidates are permitted access to a dictionary and may refer to limited notes (but not to an earlier draft) Awarding body indicates required length (min & max) Awarding body marks all candidates’ work taken from Chris Maynard presentation 2008 GCSE controlled assessment (2)

7. Speaking “ Informal supervision” of preparation Awarding body indicates what teacher support is allowed Candidates must provide an individual response, but they may work with others, eg in a conversational group Candidates may refer to limited notes Awarding body indicates required length (min & max) Teachers to assess using awarding body mark scheme A sample of candidates to be recorded for external moderation purposes Exemplification and Training to be provided GCSE controlled assessment (3) taken from Chris Maynard presentation 2008

8. 60% GCSE now under teacher (and student?)control ‘ Active’ knowledge to be tested can be determined by the teacher Timing of assessments flexible Content of assessments can be centre-devised or chosen from ‘best-fit’ themes Opportunity to tailor KS4 to follow on from KS3 60% untiered – differentiation by outcome Opportunity for learner choice in assessment Benefits of new GCSE Rachel Hawkes

9. Challenges of controlled assessment Rachel Hawkes What are the implications of controlled assessment for teachers? We will need to: re-think how we teach and assess speaking consider what sorts of tasks will be motivating for students decide how best we can take advantage of the opportunities choose, adapt or design tasks that will give our students the best opportunity to show what they can do ensure that we teach learners in the optimum way

10. Changing how we teach Rachel Hawkes Preparing students to respond to questions effectively Embedding questioning Adapting key phrases Move from memorising -> manipulating language readily Developing spontaneous talk in the classroom Building on learning at KS3

11. Rachel Hawkes NEW secondary curriculum (speaking related PoS) 1.1 Linguistic competence a. Developing the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in a range of situations and contexts. b. Applying linguistic knowledge and skills to understand and communicate effectively. 1.2 Knowledge about language a Understanding how a language works and how to manipulate it. 1.3 Creativity a Using familiar language for new purposes and in new contexts . b Using imagination to express thoughts, ideas, experiences and feelings . 2.2 Developing language skills c respond appropriately to spoken and written language d use correct pronunciation and intonation e ask and answer questions f initiate and sustain conversations k deal with unfamiliar language, unexpected responses and unpredictable situations.

12. Year 7 Framework - speaking Year 8 Framework - speaking Year 9 Framework – speaking 1.4 Talking together Y7 Construct and generate language, using a stock of words, phrases and sentences for social communication and to talk about their work Y7 Make effective use of simple verbal or visual prompts in order to take part in conversations and discussions 1.5 Presenting and narrating Y7 Plan and present a short talk or narrative, speaking clearly, audibly and with accurate pronunciation Y7 Engage listeners’ attention through expression and non-verbal techniques 4.4 Sentence structure Y7 Use knowledge of word order, high-frequency words and punctuation to understand and build simple and compound sentences 4.6 Questions and negatives Y7 Understand and use confidently some common question types in different contexts Y7 Understand and use confidently some common negative forms in different contexts 1.4 Talking together Y8 Initiate and participate in unrehearsed pupil-teacher and pupil-pupil exchanges Y8 Plan and carry out unscripted conversations and discussions, taking into account the views, preferences and ideas of each group member 1.5 Presenting and narrating Y8 Use some complex language in a prepared but unscripted talk or narrative Y8 Add authenticity through use of simple idioms 4.4 Sentence structure Y8 Develop and improve sentences by adding, rearranging or replacing elements 4.6 Questions and negatives Y8 Understand and use a range of question types Y8 Understand and use a range of negative forms 1.4 Talking together Y9 Make extended and/or frequent contributions to classroom talk Y9 Deal effectively with unexpected responses in order to sustain conversations and discussions 1.5 Presenting and narrating Y9 Respond quickly and appropriately to audience comments or questions following a talk or narrative Y9 Add interest through extended sentences, rhetorical devices and imaginative use of vocabulary 4.4 Sentence structure Y9 Use knowledge of word order, phrases and clauses to understand and build a wider range of extended sentences 4.6 Questions and negatives Y 9 Make confident use of question types with simple and compound tenses Y9 Make confident use of negative forms with simple and compound tenses

13. NEW GCSE Assessment criteria (speaking component - Edexcel) Communicates comprehensive and detailed information related to chosen stimulus Interacts very well Speaks very confidently and with spontaneity . Frequently takes initiative and develops elaborate responses . No difficulty in expressing and explaining a range of ideas and points of view. Very little or no hesitation . Able to deal with unpredictable elements without difficulty. 16-18 Communicates detailed and relevant information related to chosen visual/topic/stimulus. Interacts well. Speaks confidently . Takes initiative and develops more elaborate responses . Has little difficulty expressing and explaining ideas and points of view. Little hesitation and little or no prompting necessary. Able to deal with unpredictable elements with some success. 12-15 Communicates relevant information related to the chosen stimulus but with some obvious omissions. Some interaction. Able to participate in familiar, straightforward discussion and conversation, but experiences problems with more complex question forms. Conveys opinions, but rarely expands . Some hesitation Able to deal with some unpredictable elements. 8-11 Limited communication related to chosen visual/topic/stimulus. Some coherence in unambiguous presentation of simple information and opinions, but responses very limited. Very hesitant and reliant on teacher-examiner prompting. Able to deal with isolated unpredictable elements. 4-7 Minimal description of chosen stimulus. Conveys little relevant information in minimal responses (mainly one word) Largely disjointed and unconnected ideas. Very limited comprehension of basic questions. Wholly-reliant on teacher-examiner prompting.. 1-3

14. Open Interaction GCSE Example: Spanish Rachel Hawkes

15. NEW GCSE Assessment criteria (speaking component - Edexcel) Communicates comprehensive and detailed information related to chosen stimulus Interacts very well Speaks very confidently and with spontaneity Frequently takes initiative and develops elaborate responses No difficulty in expressing and explaining a range of ideas and points of view Very little or no hesitation Able to deal with unpredictable elements without difficulty 16-18 Uses wide range of appropriate vocabulary and structures, including complex lexical items Consistently competent use of different tenses. 6 Very accurate, with only isolated and usually insignificant errors. Consistently good pronunciation and intonation. 6 Communicates detailed and relevant information related to chosen visual/topic/stimulus. Interacts well. Speaks confidently. Takes initiative and develops more elaborate responses. Has little difficulty expressing and explaining ideas and points of view. Little hesitation and little or no prompting necessary. Abe to deal with unpredictable elements with some success. 12-15 Good variety of appropriate vocabulary and structures. Unambiguous use of different verb tenses. Generally at ease with subordination. 5 Some errors, especially in more complex structures, but generally accurate. Pronunciation and intonation generall y good. 5 Communicates relevant information related to the chosen stimulus but with some obvious omissions. Some interaction Able to participate in familiar, straightforward discussion and conversation, but experiences problems with more complex question forms. Conveys opinions, but rarely expands . Some hesitation Able to deal with some unpredictable elements. 8-11 Adequate but predictable range of vocabulary and structures. May include different tenses or time frames, perhaps with some ambiguity Some examples of subordination 3-4 A fair number of errors made, including some basic, but communication overall unaffected. Pronunciation and intonation generally accurate. 3-4 Limited communication related to chosen visual/topic/stimulus. Some coherence in unambiguous presentation of simple information and opinions, but responses very limited. Very hesitant and reliant on teacher-examiner prompting. Able to deal with isolated unpredictable elements. 4-7 Limited and/or repetitive range of vocabulary or structures. Predominantly uses short sentences 2 Many basic errors, but main points communicated. Simple ‘pre-learnt’ stereotypes correct. Pronunciation generally understandable. 2 Minimal description of chosen stimulus. Conveys little relevant information in minimal responses (mainly one word) Largely disjointed and unconnected ideas. Very limited comprehension of basic questions. Wholly-reliant on teacher-examiner prompting.. 1-3 Very limited range of basic structures Frequently resorts to non-target language Rarely offers complete sentences. 1 Consistently inaccurate language and pronunciation frequently impede communication Only isolated examples of accurate language. 1

16. Rachel Hawkes Edexcel GCSE 2010 Units 2 & 4 Speaking and Writing Unit Grade A* A B C D E F G Maximum Uniform mark = 90 81 72 63 54 45 36 27 18 Uniform mark as percentage 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 Suggested raw mark boundaries based on percentages 28 25 22 18 14 11 8 5 GROUP : Task: STUDENT NAMES Tutor group Content & Response (18) Range of language (6) Accuracy (6) Total mark (30) projected grade 1 0 U 2 0 U 3 0 U 4 0 U 5 0 U 6 0 U 7 0 U 8 0 U

17. How do you teach ‘spontaneous talk’? Rachel Hawkes

18. What do you think we mean by unplanned or spontaneous speaking? a) Lack of prior preparation b) Absence of written support c) The immediacy of the experience d) Like a conversation e) Not knowing the questions/answers in advance 289 students from Years 7 – 10 from 5 different secondary schools were asked.

19. Why do you think unplanned or spontaneous speaking is an important focus in language learning? "Because in real life you don't know what the other person is going to say." 2/3 students asked equate spontaneous speaking with ‘real life’ activity. "To make sure you definitely know it and are able to have conversations without reading off a sheet." Students feel that what they can do without notes/preparation is what they 'truly' know. They also mention the link between spontaneous speaking and increased confidence.

20. Define a confident language learner - how would he/she cope in an unplanned speaking situation? "They would cope really well because they would speak confidently and spontaneously really easily' 2/3 answers are unrealistic and do not mention strategies or attributes of a language learner in unrehearsed speaking situations. 1) Most other answers stress fluency as key 2) Fewer mention accuracy 3) Top set students most likely to mention accuracy AND fluency together 4) A few mention quality of language, including range of vocabulary, tense use, opinions, extended answers - particularly Year 10 learners and 9 top sets 5) Rare answers mention attributes of a confident learner mentioned were: risk-taking, not afraid of mistakes, responds readily, good pronunciation 6) Very few mentioned these strategies: listen carefully to pick out key words and understand the question, take time to think, use words and structures they know, ignore mistakes and keep going, use gestures and facial expression to help support meaning

21. Speaking targets Give detailed information Express personal opinions Justify points of view Use longer sequences of speech Use a variety of vocabulary and structures Use time references Refer to the past Refer to the future Do these speaking targets work for spontaneous talk? Can learners have these sorts of targets in their heads in an unplanned speaking situation? If not, what targets or strategies would we give to learners who are trying to hold a 'conversation' in the target language?

22. Listen to the question VERY carefully – work to make sense of it Buy yourself time with a ‘hesitation’ word Think of something you know you can say quickly – e.g. Repeat back a couple of words of the question with raised intonation - ¿Todos los días? Use what you know how to say when you put your answer together (not necessarily exactly what you want to say) Keep talking for as long as you can – it’s always easy to add in a ‘por ejemplo’ or an opinion When you are beginning to run out of flow, ask a question! (¿Y tú?) Use other ‘help’ to get your message across well – i.e. expression, emotion – sound like you mean it + facial expressions + body language + gestures “ A confident language learner wouldn't panic, would listen carefully for key words to respond to and take time to think about answer.” “ A confident learner would use the words they do know to turn the conversation to what they are comfortable to speak about - use heavy facial expression and body language.” “ A confident learner would be able to use what they know already to come up with appropriate responses - and maybe even ask new questions.”

23. A ver... Pues... Bueno.. Entonces.. Para mí.. En mi opinión... Por ejemplo ... O sea... Es decir ...

24. ¡No te olvides!

26. Developing talking routines for all students Rachel Hawkes

27. Asking questions Group talk routines Find someone who Speaking lines What are the questions? Free conversation tasks

28. Rachel Hawkes Target talk Odd one out Spot the difference 5 Ws? Reading images Extensions Then & now Tell a story Say something else Understanding & responding

29. ¿Dónde estamos? ¿Qué o quién hay en la foto? ¿Qué se puede ver? ¿Qué no se puede ver? ¿Cuándo se hizo la foto? ¿Qué acaba de pasar? ¿Qué va a pasar ahora?

30. ¿Dónde estamos? ¿Qué o quién hay en la foto? ¿Qué se puede ver? ¿Qué no se puede ver? ¿Cuándo se hizo la foto? ¿Qué acaba de pasar? ¿Qué va a pasar ahora?

31. ¿Dónde estamos? ¿Qué o quién hay en la foto? ¿Qué se puede ver? ¿Qué no se puede ver? ¿Cuándo se hizo la foto? ¿Qué acaba de pasar? ¿Qué va a pasar ahora?

32. Task: Picture-based discussion Generate as many questions as you can that you could ask about this picture Assume that the learner will present for 1 minute to introduce the picture Think about how you can make use of previous classroom routines , both to enable the student to answer spontaneously and use a range of language Rachel Hawkes

33. Me encanta la natación – es mi deporte preferido. Empecé a nadar cuando tenía cinco años y llevo siete años nadando por un club. Es el club de natación basado en la piscina de Parkside en Cambridge. Me encanta porque puedo entrenar para mejorar. Mi entrenadora se llama Beth y es super simpática. Siempre me anima y me apoya. Lo malo es que tengo que madrugar porque tengo que entrenar tres veces a la semana antes de ir al colegio. Pero no me importa eso porque me gusta la natación. También participo en competiciones regionales algunos fines de semana que me encantan. 1 minute introduction 1. Bueno, dime primero,¿ Dónde estamos en esta foto? 2. Y descríbeme la foto un poquito, ¿ qué se puede ver ? 3. ¿ Quiénes hay en la foto? ¿Estás tú en la foto? 4. Y esta piscina – parece que en la foto está abierta al público - ¿ Hay también clases de natación allí para los alumnos? 5. Y el agua, ¿no está fría? Porque la piscina está al aire libre ¿no? 5. ¿ Cuándo se hizo esta foto ? 6. . ¿Y la natación es un deporte muy popular aquí en el instituto? 7. Y ¿ qué va a pasar en el futuro? ¿Qué planes tienes para el futuro? ¿Piensas seguir nadando como profesión? Discussion questions Rachel Hawkes

34. Task setting Rachel Hawkes Is the task something that will engage my students? Does the task arise naturally from the work my students are doing? Does the task provide appropriate challenge for my students? Is the task accessible to all students, including any students with disabilities? Am I making good use of opportunities to customise tasks, for example by referring to local circumstances, or topical issues or aspects of the culture, life and traditions of target language countries or communities? Is the task manageable for me? Would it be possible to record it if necessary? Should I provide a stimulus in English or in the target language? Does the task allow my students to meet the marking criteria laid down by the awarding body? Can I see how the exam board’s marking criteria can be used to assess performance on this task?

36. Task taking Rachel Hawkes Timing of assessments Number of students assessed at one time Location of assessments Release of stimulus material to students Length of assessments Recording of assessments

37. Olympus WS-321M Digital Voice Recorder ( www.amazon.co.uk ) £56.47 Logitech USB Desktop Microphone ( www.amazon.co.uk ) £17.65 Free software to download: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ NB: must download LAME Encoder too or won’t save as MP3 http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=install&item=lame-mp3 Easi Speak Digital Voice Recorder ( www.easi-speak.org.uk ) £25 Rachel Hawkes

38. Prepare a list of all possible questions on the theme that you think could be answered well spontaneously Make a copy of this sheet so that you have one per student Use this list as you listen to the student presentation and or picture-based introduction and highlight questions that you could ask to follow up on (but not repeat) the material Allow yourself more leeway at the start of the day as the first few take longer Try out the recording equipment yourself in good time before the exams to familiarise yourself and become confident Before each recording say: Candidate Name & Number, Centre Name, the task type and topic and the date When you save the sound file, name it usefully (see Audacity instructions) to when your sample is requested (months later!) you can find the material easily. Top tips so far….. Rachel Hawkes

39. Task marking Rachel Hawkes Marking ‘live’ or from recording Standardisation / Internal moderation External moderation

40. To support controlled assessment Rachel Hawkes 'GCSE modern foreign languages: controlled assessment of speaking - guidance for teachers’ free copies of this DVD obtainable via http://orderline.qcda.org.uk/ order reference: QCA/09/4138

41. Mi película favorita “Slumdog Millionaire” Mi película favorita es “Slumdog Millionaire” que es una película de risa, esperanza y suerte. Fue la última película que ví en el cine con mis amigos y pensamos que fue emocionante. Normalmente voy al cine una vez al mes pero el mes pasado fui al cine cinco veces, pero “Slumdog Millionaire” fue la mejor película. También en general veo muchas películas de horror, pero me encantó “ Slumdog Millionaire” porque fue diferente. Es la historia de Jamal Malik, un chico muy pobre que se enamora de una chica, que está casada con un hombre alto y muy violento. Sin embargo, Jamal quiere estar con la chica, que se llama Latika. Para impresionar a Latika, Jamal juega “who wants to be a millionaire” y gana, pero porque nación el el barrio más bajo de India, los productores creen que está haciendo trampa. Sim embargo, Jama sabe las respuestas porque cuando era joven, tuvo muchas experiencias. Para todas las preguntas hay historias pequeñitas que le enseñan las respuestas. En general pienso que “Slumdog Millionaire” fue una aventura enorme, y era muy interesante ver la vida en los barrios bajos de India – hay una cultura muy diferente a la nuestra. Aunque “Slumdog Millionaire” fue fenomenal, la próxima película que vaya a ver será und película graciosa, porque mis amigos y yo queremos ver algunas películas divertidas. Vamor a ir al cine la semana próxima y después voy a cenar en un restaurante aunque todavía no sé qué películar veremos.   present present (other persons) past (preterit) past (imperfect) past (perfect) future conditional subjunctive verb & infinitive (e.g. modal) links opinions reasons negatives comp./sup. idioms vocabulary + errors

42. Joined Up! Rachel Hawkes Comberton Village College AST Former Regional Subject Advisor SSAT Lead Practitioner www.rachelhawkes.typepad.com/linguacom [email_address] Rachel Hawkes Save the date! Monday 29 November Joined Up Conference Comberton Village College, Cambridgeshire