The French GCSE Reading is externally assessed by an exam paper in June of year 11. You can take either a Foundation Tier or Higher Tier paper,
In the reading test, you will answer questions about short texts on different topics, for example text messages, advertisements and emails.

The reading exam is worth 20% of the French GCSE
Foundation Tier: 35 minutes.
Higher Tier: 50 minutes.

Vocabulary learning strategies.

French is used as the example target language, but the principles go for any language you are learning!

•  Start learning the words in the lesson. Don't waste time!

•  Always learn French to English first – it's much easier; learn the words English to French after you know them French to English.

•  Learn words and phrases in chunks of 3, 4 or 5 – no more. When you know these, go on to the next chunk of 3, 4 or 5.

•  Get someone to test you when you have learned them, not before. They say the English and you say the French and spell the words. Even if your ‘tester' does not know French, they will know if YOU know the French word and they can check your spelling on your vocabulary sheet.

•  Try two or three strategies to learn words really well.

•  For really effective revision, revise after 24 hours, 1 week and 1 month.

Strategies:

•  Cover and check (only French to English): Write vocabulary in two lists. For the first 3 or 4 words, read the French and the English side by side, cover the English, say the English, then check that you have got it right.

•  Mini-flashcards:

•  Fold and tear a piece of A4 paper into 8 or 16 squares. On one side write the French word (with the le or la if it is a noun) and on the other draw a picture / symbol or write the English.

•  French to English: Place the cards French side up and shuffle them. You should have a neat pile of them. Select the first 4 or 5.

•  Look at the first French word or phrase, say the English, turn over to check that you have got it right. Put it to the back of your pile of 5 and repeat with the second card. Continue until you have done them all, shuffle and repeat. Go on to the next 4 or 5 when you know the first clump very well. At the end, take all the cards, shuffle and work your way through.

•  English to French: shuffle all the cards and turn the pile over, so you have the picture or English facing up. Select the first 4 or 5.

•  Look at the first picture or English word or phrase, say the French, spell it out and turn over to check that you have got it right. Put it to the back of your pile of 5 and repeat with the second card. Continue until you have done them all, shuffle and repeat. Go on to the next 4 or 5 when you know the first clump very well.

•  At the end, shuffle the entire pack and work your way through all of them.
If there are still words you don't know well, isolate those and work just with them.

•  Beat the tape French to English: Record the words as follows: say the French word, leave a gap, and then say the English. Repeat with the next word. When you listen, aim to say the English word before it appears on the tape.

•  Beat the tape English to French: Record the English, leave a gap, and then record the French. When you listen, try to say the French before it appears on the tape.

•  Mind maps :
Put the topic heading in the middle.
Place the words and phrases on branches with the English in a different colour (or draw a picture).
Place similar words or opposites on the same main branches.
Use the branches for sentence starters and use twigs for sentence endings.
Use lots of colour and symbols or drawings.
Crayon around individual branches and colour in the background to make interesting shapes – that way you will be able to visualize the mind-map when you need to remember the word.
Check you know the words by drawing the mind map from memory!
You can use this for any subject, not just vocabulary.
Word pictures: Draw a scene featuring the words you have to learn. Label it with the words and phrases. Use lots of colour and memorable pictures. Cover over the words with rectangles of paper and then say the French and spell it or write the words on the rectangles. Take away the paper to check your accuracy.
Mime: Mime the words or phrases and say them at the same time. Do it as fast as possible and as accurately as you can (e.g. parts of the body, sporting activities, daily routine).
Label realia: If you have to learn words like furniture or rooms in the house, stick labels on doors and furniture to remind you of the words.

EDEXCEL READING EXAM QUESTIONS.