Specification at a glance

Three levels of award are available: pass, merit, distinction. The standard is broadly equivalent to the National Curriculum KS3 Languages programmes of study.
FCSE is 100% internally assessed by the school or college and externally moderated by AQA.
Externally set assignments for listening and reading are available on e-AQA.
Externally set and exemplar speaking and writing assignments are available on e-AQA.
Full course total qualification time 135 hours (135 guided learning hours).
Short course total qualification time 90 hours (90 guided learning hours).

Students should submit evidence from three units. Each unit should be selected from a different theme:

Unit 1 – Relationships, family and friends

Unit 2 – Education and future plans

Unit 3 – Holidays and travel

Unit 4 – Leisure

Unit 5 – Healthy lifestyle

Unit 6 – Food and drink

Unit 7 – Local area and environment

Unit 8 – Celebrations

Full course portfolio

FCSE (FC):

Three externally set assignments – 25%

Three externally set assignments – 25%

One compulsory, externally set role play plus two internally set assignments – 25%

One compulsory, externally set translation plus two internally set assignments – 25%

Students produce 12 assignments, ten of which are to be available for moderation (three listening, three reading, three writing, and one recorded speaking assignment).
For each of the three units, students must produce an assignment in all four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing).
The first task on each reading assignment will be a translation from the target language into English.
One of the three writing assignments submitted must be an externally set translation from English into the target language.
One of the three speaking assignments produced must be an externally set role-play. The recorded assignment does not have to be the role-play.

FCSE (SC) Spoken Language:

Three externally set assignments – 50%

One compulsory, externally set role-play plus two internally set assignments – 50%

Students produce six assignments, four of which are to be available for moderation (three listening and one recorded speaking).
For each of the three units, students must produce an assignment in both skills (listening and speaking).
One of the three speaking assignments produced must be an externally set role-play. The recorded assignment does not have to be the role-play.

FCSE (SC) Written Language:

Three externally set assignments – 50%

One compulsory, externally set translation plus two internally set assignments – 50%

Students produce six assignments (three reading and three writing), all of which must be available for moderation.
For each of the three units, students must produce an assignment in both skills (reading and writing).
One of the three writing assignments submitted must be an externally set translation from English into the target language.