Understanding Speaking and Listening at GCSE (AQA GCSE English Language) : Revision Note
As part of your AQA GCSE English Language course, you need to complete a Spoken Language component. You will be required to deliver a formal, extended individual presentation and respond to questions.
What is the speaking and listening assessment?
The speaking and listening assessment is a compulsory part of your GCSE English Language course
To complete the assessment, you need to give a formal, individual presentation on a topic of your choice
After your presentation you need to answer a few questions from your teacher and the students in your class
You will be internally assessed by your teacher, who will submit your final grade to the exam board
There are four grades which can be awarded: Not Classified, Pass, Merit or Distinction
This component does not affect your overall GCSE English Language grade, but your result will appear on your certificate as a separate grade
Let’s have a look in more detail at what’s involved:
Speaking and listening | |
|---|---|
Formal |
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Extended |
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Individual |
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Presentation |
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Respond to questions |
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What grades are issued for speaking and listening?
Your teacher will assess you using three assessment objectives:
A07 | A08 | A09 |
|---|---|---|
Demonstrate presentation skills in a formal setting | Listen and respond appropriately to spoken language, including questions and feedback to presentations | Use spoken Standard English effectively in speeches and presentations |
There are no marks for the Spoken Language assessment. Instead you will be awarded one of the following grades: Pass, Merit, Distinction or Not Classified. Let’s look at three of these grades in more detail.
Focus | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
Ideas and content | Your talk mainly describes things or shares facts but doesn’t go into much detail | You include more detail about different points of view and explain your ideas more clearly | You show independent thinking and speak with real knowledge by offering your own ideas and analysis |
Purpose | Your talk focuses on what you know, but it might not be clear why it matters to others | You start to show your purpose and want your audience to understand something or think about the topic in a new way | Your whole talk is designed to influence your audience and change how they think or act |
Structure | Your talk follows a simple structure and you use clear phrases to guide your audience | You start to use a more engaging structure by linking back to earlier points or summarising your ideas | Your talk flows fluently, with each point linking naturally to the next, keeping your audience fully engaged |
Vocabulary | Your language is clear and easy to understand | You choose varied and interesting words that fit your topic | You use ambitious and precise language that matches your topic and purpose |
Response to questions | You give short responses and answer questions clearly | You explain your answers more fully and respond well to different types of questions | You give thoughtful, detailed answers that show strong understanding and independent thinking |
How to pass speaking and listening
To pass your spoken language assessment you’ll need to show that you can:
Share your own ideas, opinions and arguments
Back them up with examples and explanations, showing your personal viewpoint
Understand how your perspective affects the way you communicate
Use a range of clear and effective vocabulary to get your point across
Organise your presentation clearly, with a strong opening and ending
Think about your audience and how to keep them engaged, adjusting how you speak based on their responses
Learn more about the skills you need for your GCSE English Language Speaking and Listening task.
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