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Welcome to our Community Languages Portal; a space that celebrates the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our school community. This area of our website brings together useful information and resources for students who are bilingual, speak a language at home other than English, or whose first language is not English.
At Plymstock School, we are proud to support students in maintaining and developing their home languages and in achieving additional qualifications that recognise these valuable skills. We believe that language is a strength that connects families, cultures, and our wider community, and we are committed to helping every student feel seen, supported, and confident in their linguistic identity.
What language qualifications do exam boards offer for speakers of community languages?
What language qualifications do exam boards offer for speakers of community languages?
Edexcel (Pearson) offers GCSE in:
Arabic
Biblical Hebrew
Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese)
Greek
Gujarti
Italian
Japanese
Persian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Turkich
Urdu
AQA offers GCSE in:
Panjabi
Polish
What skills are tested in language exams?
What skills are tested in language exams?
Language exams assess four key skills:
Listening
Reading
Speaking
Writing
Each skill is tested separately.
How are GCSE language exams structured?
How are GCSE language exams structured?
At GCSE level, students take:
Paper 1: Listening. Understanding spoken language: gist, detail, opinions.
Paper 2: Speaking
Paper 3: Reading. Understanding written texts: information, opinions, attitudes.
Paper 4: Writing. Communicating ideas in writing accurately and clearly.
Each paper usually counts for 25% of the final grade.
What is the grading system for GCSE languages?
What is the grading system for GCSE languages?
GCSEs are graded 9–1
9 = highest
5 = strong pass
4 = standard pass
What topics are covered in Edexcel language exams?
What topics are covered in Edexcel language exams?
Common themes include:
Identity and culture
Local area, holidays, and travel
School and future plans
International and global issues
Media and technology
Is the speaking exam a conversation?
Is the speaking exam a conversation?
Yes. It is made up of the following parts: Role play, picture-based discussion, and conversation.
Are dictionaries allowed?
Are dictionaries allowed?
No dictionaries allowed in exams.
How long are Edexcel language exams?
How long are Edexcel language exams?
This varies by level and tier: foundation and higher, but typically:
Listening: 35–50 minutes
Reading: 45–60 minutes
Writing: 60–90 minutes
Speaking: 7–15 minutes
How can students prepare effectively?
How can students prepare effectively?
Practise past papers
Learn/revise key vocabulary by topic
Practise speaking regularly
Use exam boards mark schemes to understand how marks are awarded
Focus on grammar accuracy and structure
Will my child have lessons in school in their community language exam?
Will my child have lessons in school in their community language exam?
We are not able to offer lessons for community language exams. However, we do facilitate exam entries for our students. We also explain what the exams will involve and provide guidance on how and what to revise. Students are expected to revise independently in their own time, using language websites and past papers that we make easily accessible. Some students also attend Saturday schools for their community languages, such as Greek School or Polish Saturday School.
GCSE Speaking Exam Preparation
GCSE Speaking Exam Preparation
Task 1: role-play (2-2mins30 max). A short, scripted scenario where the student responds to prompts. 15 marks
Task 2: picture task (3-3mins30 max). Discussion of a photo, answering questions and giving opinions. 15 marks
Task 3: Conversation 1 (chosen topic: the candidate can talk about this topic for up to a minute non-stop and the examiner will then ask questions about the same theme – 2.30-3mins max). A general conversation on two themes from the topics list.
Task 4 : Conversation 2 (2.30-3mins max)
Task 3 & 4 = 30 marks
Duration of the speaking exam:
Foundation Tier: 7–9 minutes
Higher Tier: 10–12 minutes
Conducted by: Teacher or interpreter of a community language (recorded and externally marked)
Preparation:
Students receive the role play card and photo card.
The 12 minutes are supervised.
Students may make notes during this time.
Notes can be used during the exam.
Dictionaries are not allowed.
Possible conversation questions
Possible conversation questions
(the teacher might ask you some questions that are not listed below as questions should flow naturally and follow logically from your answers to previous questions). To get the highest marks, your answers should be as detailed and as complex as possible.
Theme 1 Identity and culture
Theme 1 Identity and culture
Talk about yourself
Talk about your family; do you get on with them?
Describe your best friend
What makes a good friend
What did you do last weekend with your family/friends?
What are your plans for next weekend?
Is sport important for you?
A sport you would like to try in the future?
Do you have any hobbies?
What is your favourite film/music band? Why?
How did you celebrate your last birthday?
Do you have a role-model?
Pros and cons of technologies
Theme 2 Local area, holiday and travel
Theme 2 Local area, holiday and travel
Describe your town
Pros and cons of your town
What you would like to change in your town
Where you would like to live in the future
What you did in your town recently
Do prefer the town or countryside ?
Favourite activities on holiday
A dream holiday
Your last holiday
A problem you encountered
Do you prefer holidaya with friends or family?
Theme 3 School
Theme 3 School
Description of your school
Your favourite subject
Your least favourite subject
What subjects are you going to study next year?
What you think of the school rules
What you would like to change in the school
Talk about your uniform
Importance of school excursions
A recent school trip you have been on
Are you part of a school club?
What do you think of your school canteen?
What you did during break/after school yesterday?
Theme 4 Future aspirations, study and work
Theme 4 Future aspirations, study and work
Talk about a job you wanted to do when you were younger
Talk about a job you would like to do in the future
Pros and cons of that job
Personal plans for the future
Any work experience?
Do you prefer working in a team or on your own?
Your strengths
Importance of languages
Do you speak any languages?
Is there a language you would like to learn in the future?
Any volunteering work?
Theme 5 International and global dimension
Theme 5 International and global dimension
Importance of big events
A big event you have been to
A big event you would like to go to
Importance of protecting the planet
Biggest problem on the planet
What you do at home to help the environment
Does the school do anything to help the environment?
What you did recently to help the planet
What you should do more to help the planet
A campaign you would like to do to raise awareness
What do you think of fair trade products?
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