WJEC GCSE French specification (3800)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your WJEC GCSE French exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
Examiner-written revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t
In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official WJEC GCSE French specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official WJEC GCSE French (3800) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official WJEC specification PDF.
Specification overview
The WJEC GCSE in French supports learners to develop their ability to communicate confidently and coherently with native speakers through speaking and writing. It builds fluency in listening and reading, encourages creative language use, and promotes cultural understanding of French-speaking communities. The course nurtures spontaneous and accurate expression, enhances grammatical knowledge, and prepares learners for future study and real-world contexts. Learners gain insights into personal, social, academic and professional domains through engaging themes and authentic material.
Subject content breakdown
Identity and Culture
- Youth Culture: self and relationships, technology and social media
- Lifestyle: health and fitness, entertainment and leisure
- Customs and Traditions: food and drink, festivals and celebrations
Wales and the World – Areas of Interest
- Home and Locality: local areas of interest, travel and transport
- The Wider World: regional features of French-speaking areas, holidays and tourism
- Global Sustainability: environmental and social issues
Current and Future Study and Employment
- Current Study: school/college life and studies
- Enterprise and Employability: skills, qualities, post-16 study and career plans
Assessment structure
Unit 1: Speaking
- Oral exam: 7–9 mins (Foundation), 10–12 mins (Higher)
- 25% of qualification (60 marks)
- Role play, photo card discussion, and conversation on two themes
- Includes 12-minute preparation time; no dictionaries allowed
Unit 2: Listening
- Written exam: 35 mins (Foundation), 45 mins (Higher)
- 25% of qualification (45 marks)
- Includes listening to monologues, conversations, interviews
- Responses in English/Welsh and French; no dictionaries allowed
Unit 3: Reading
- Written exam: 1 hour (Foundation), 1 hour 15 mins (Higher)
- 25% of qualification (60 marks)
- Includes continuous and non-continuous texts, translation from French to English/Welsh
- No dictionaries allowed
Unit 4: Writing
- Written exam: 1 hour 15 mins (Foundation), 1 hour 30 mins (Higher)
- 25% of qualification (60 marks)
- Foundation: short and extended tasks, and translation (35–40 words)
- Higher: longer writing tasks and translation (50–55 words)
- No dictionaries allowed
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Listening – 25%
- AO2: Speaking – 25%
- AO3: Reading – 25%
- AO4: Writing – 25%
Tiers
- Foundation Tier: Grades C–G
- Higher Tier: Grades A*–D
- All assessments taken in one tier per student
Key tips for success
Doing well in your WJEC GCSE French isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
Share this article