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The AQA FCSE
Organisational issues
Familiarity with the types of assessment is essential
Candidates for the FCSE are expected to produce a total of 12 assignments 10 of which must be included in their portfolio (ie 3 listening, 3 reading, 3 writing assignments and one recorded speaking).
For externally set listening and reading assessments, the students must produce evidence from 3 units and each unit must be selected from a different theme.
For the teacher controlled assignments of speaking and writing, the candidate must also produce evidence from three units and each unit must be from a different theme. These teacher-controlled assignments must be from the same units as those produced for listening and reading.
Standardisation meetings are held at locations around the country in October each year.
The complete portfolio needs to be submitted by 31st May each year. Details of training sessions can be found on the AQA website.
Listening and reading
For the listening and reading, teachers will receive two sets of FCSE externally-set assignments with accompanying CD (Set 1 and Set 2) and these will be valid for a period of 2 years. Set 2 can be used for re-sit purposes. There are no examinations for the FCSE. The assignments can be taken at different stages in the course when a topic has been covered, to fit in with teachers and candidates. These assignments are marked by the teacher in accordance with a detailed mark scheme and should then be placed into a student portfolio of work. Candidates are not allowed to use dictionaries or other reference materials when sitting these externally set-assignments.
Sample question papers and sound files may be found on the FCSE section of the AQA website. Teachers should fully familiarise themselves and their pupils with the types of assessment to be taken as practice for the externally set assessments.
Writing and speaking
The writing in each unit is assessed either via one of the exemplar teacher-controlled assignments or by a teacher-controlled assignment which has to be approved by an AQA assessment adviser in advance. For samples of the writing and speaking assignments visit the AQA website. Dictionaries are allowed only in the preparation of the written and spoken assignments.
The principle is that candidates should produce written tasks to the highest level of their ability and when planning the course it is wise to include time to enable candidates to have the opportunity to attempt a number of tasks from which the best are selected for the portfolio of evidence.
For the speaking, students are required to submit three teacher-controlled assignments, one of which has to be recorded. Teachers should familiarise themselves with the marking criteria for the assessed speaking so that they can incorporate into their lessons practice of the skills and language appropriate to the ability of the students. It is also recommended to share with the students the marking critieria for speaking and writing so that they are fully aware of the requirements of the different levels of assessment.
In the spoken assignments, candidates should not read aloud from a prepared script but may refer to brief notes which should not contain full sentences or conjugated verbs. When organising the course, consideration will need to be made as to how these assisgnments are going to be conducted. The recordings need to be made in the school or college under supervised conditions which does not necessarily mean that the candidate needs supervision in the room. The teacher could be in an adjacent room for example. However, if so desired, the teacher may wish to supervise the candidate directly and mark the work at the same time. Individual schools and colleges need to select the method which best suits their own circumstances.
Performance points
Pass (level 4) - 19 points
Merit (level 5) - 28 points
Distinction (level 6) - 34 points
Before beginning the course, teachers should carefully read the specification and if unsure of any aspect of the organisation can also consult the FAQs on the AQA website.
