There is a practical component (speaking and listening) needed to complete IGCSE or GCSE French for AQA GCSE French (8658), Cambridge IGCSE French: Foreign Language (0520), and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French (9-1) (4FR1). As not all centres are able to accommodate private candidates for the practical components of a foreign or second language course, it is up to the private candidate to check with the Registered Examination Centre about access.
Each examination board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each examination board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have not taught or tutored French as a Foreign Language, but one of my children dual-enrolled in the local high school to take French for three years as we realized consistent group practice would work best.
I will include resources here for all three exam boards, and wish you the best in your research into IGCSE or GCSE French.
Each examination board uses a syllabus or specification to clearly state, among other things, the subject course content and methods of final assessments. Additionally, each examination board will give suggested textbooks and other resources, some of which are endorsed (that is, they carefully follow the specific syllabus or specification). Teachers and students can choose the best resources to facilitate learning. You don't need all the suggested resources, but it is useful to have one or two textbooks as a scaffold, alongside the syllabus or specification and online resources as needed.
I have not taught or tutored French as a Foreign Language, but one of my children dual-enrolled in the local high school to take French for three years as we realized consistent group practice would work best.
I will include resources here for all three exam boards, and wish you the best in your research into IGCSE or GCSE French.
Syllabuses and specifications
To have the most success in final assessments (exams), read the syllabus or specification carefully. Consider this as the rule book, as it gives clear details about the subject.
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, Pearson Edexcel:
Here are the links for the IGCSE and GCSE courses at AQA, CAIE, Pearson Edexcel:
AQA GCSE French (8658)
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/french-8658
Cambridge IGCSE French Foreign Language (0520)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-french-foreign-language-0520/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French (9-1) (4FR1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-french-2017.html
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/languages/gcse/french-8658
Cambridge IGCSE French Foreign Language (0520)
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-french-foreign-language-0520/
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French (9-1) (4FR1)
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses/international-gcse-french-2017.html
Past paper practice
One of the best ways to understand how well you will do in the final assessments is to complete some past papers, mark them, and reflect on your strengths and challenges. Then repeat the process. Strong IGCSE and GCSE knowledge and skills are built through practice, so you should make sure to get support from teachers, tutors, or mentors as necessary. In the meantime, visit the examination board's website and look for past papers, the mark schemes (answer keys or rubrics) and the examiners' reports. All these documents will be helpful in honing your skills in this subject.
Suggested textbooks
The endorsed textbooks are closely aligned to examination board courses and will be the best resource to use as a scaffold for learning. Each examination board also suggests other textbooks and resources for each subject course. The choice of books for teaching and learning is yours, but I have always relied on one or two endorsed textbooks, and then used other resources to supplement my own learning and teaching.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses:
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses, with the ISBN to help search for the resources more effectively. Remember: you do not need all the resources, so take the time to find the best texts for you.
Here are some useful suggested textbooks for IGCSE and GCSE courses:
AQA GCSE French (8658)
- Dzuilka-Heywood, C. et al. (2018) AQA GCSE French: Foundation. ISBN: 9780198365846 [Endorsed]
- Dzuilka-Heywood, C. et al. (2018) AQA GCSE French: Higher. ISBN: 9780198365839 [Endorsed]
Cambridge IGCSE French Foreign Language (0520)
- Ellis, P. & Harris, L. (2018) Approaches to teaching and learning Modern Foreign Languages: a toolkit for international teachers. ISBN: 9781108438483 [Endorsed]
- Capjon, S. et al. (2019) Cambridge IGCSE French as a Foreign Language: Student's Book. ISBN: 9780008300340 [Endorsed]
- Gray, O. (2019) Cambridge IGCSE French as a Foreign Language: Teacher's Guide. ISBN: 9780008300357 [Endorsed]
- Gray, O. (2019) Cambridge IGCSE French as a Foreign Language: Workbook. ISBN: 9780008300364 [Endorsed]
- Chevrier-Clarke, S. et al. (2019) Cambridge IGCSE French, 3rd Edition. ISBN: 9781514047554 [Endorsed]
- Bourdais, D. & Talon, G. (2019) French as a Foreign Language for Cambridge IGCSE: Coursebook with Audio CD. ISBN: 9781108590525 [Endorsed]
- Fayaud, N. (2019) French as a Foreign Language for Cambridge IGCSE: Teacher's Resource with Cambridge Elevate. ISBN: 9781108591027 [Endorsed]
- Bourdais, D. & Talon, G. (2019) French as a Foreign Language for Cambridge IGCSE: Workbook. ISBN: 9781108710091 [Endorsed]
- Collins (2019) Vocab Express Cambridge IGCSE French. ISBN: 9780008324100 [Endorsed]
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French (9-1) (4FR1)
- Cheerier-Clarke, S. et al. (2017) Edexcel International GCSE French: Student Book, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510403284 [Endorsed]
- Dalton, C. & Thathapudi, K. (2017) Edexcel International GCSE French Teaching and Learning Resources, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510403307 [Endorsed]
- Dalton, C. & Thathapudi, K. (2017) Edexcel International GCSE French: Teacher's CD-ROM, 2nd Edition. ISBN: 9781510403291 [Endorsed]
- Shannon, P. (2020) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French: Study and Revision Guide. ISBN: 9781510474963 [Endorsed]
- Gilles, J-C. (2019) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French: Vocabulary Workbook. ISBN: 9781510474970 [Endorsed]
- Thathapudi, K. & Shannon, P. (2019) Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French: Grammar Workbook. ISBN: 9781510467460 [Endorsed]
Useful websites for IGCSE and GCSE French
Using an endorsed textbook alongside the syllabus or specification is always my first strategy in teaching or tutoring IGCSEs or GCSEs. Then I look through the online resources to supplement and complement what is being learnt, and I am constantly researching new resources.
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
Here are a few resources you might find useful:
BBC Bitesize
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/french/
Cliff Notes
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/french/french-i
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/french/french-ii
Bescherelle
bescherelle.com
Francaisfacile
https://www.francaisfacile.com
French in a Click
www.frenchinaclick.com
Language Guide
www.languageguide.org
Languages Online
www.languagesonline.org.uk/Hotpotatoes/frenchindex.html
Le Point du FLE
www.lepointdufle.net
Don't forget to check out the language learning apps like Duolingo, and Memrise, and of course Google Translate.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/french/
Cliff Notes
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/french/french-i
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/french/french-ii
Bescherelle
bescherelle.com
Francaisfacile
https://www.francaisfacile.com
French in a Click
www.frenchinaclick.com
Language Guide
www.languageguide.org
Languages Online
www.languagesonline.org.uk/Hotpotatoes/frenchindex.html
Le Point du FLE
www.lepointdufle.net
Don't forget to check out the language learning apps like Duolingo, and Memrise, and of course Google Translate.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.