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All Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC

GCSE French Speaking Practice

Master French speaking from Foundation to Higher tier with AI-powered practice. Official exam format, instant feedback, proven results. Join 12,000+ successful students.

3 Sections
Complete Exam
10-12 min
Total Time
All Boards
AQA, Edexcel, OCR
2 Tiers
Foundation & Higher

Choose Your Tier

Foundation Tier

Grades 1-5
A2 Level

Covers fundamental communication skills

Best for: Students aiming for grades 1-5, building confidence in basic French communication

Higher Tier

Grades 4-9
B1 Level

Requires more complex language and spontaneous responses

Best for: Students aiming for grades 4-9, demonstrating fluency and range

GCSE French Speaking Exam Format

Role Play

15 marks
2 minutes
25%

Complete practical tasks in French-speaking situations

What you need to do:

Handle transactional situations (booking, shopping, etc.)
Respond to unpredictable elements (!)
Use appropriate register (formal/informal)
Give clear, relevant responses
Ask for clarification if needed

Expert Tip

Practice common scenarios like booking hotels, shopping, or visiting the doctor. The unpredictable elements test your ability to think on your feet.

Example

Example: Booking a hotel room - you might need to handle an unexpected question about dietary requirements.

Photo Card Discussion

15 marks
3 minutes
25%

Describe and discuss a photo stimulus

What you need to do:

Describe what you can see in the photo
Answer 2-3 follow-up questions
Express and justify opinions
Make comparisons and connections
Use varied vocabulary and structures

Expert Tip

Look at all details in the photo - people, setting, activities, emotions. Practice making connections to your own experience.

Example

Example: Photo of a French market - discuss shopping habits, healthy eating, and cultural differences.

General Conversation

30 marks
5 minutes
50%

Discuss two themes in depth

What you need to do:

Discuss two different themes thoroughly
Use three time frames (past, present, future)
Express and justify opinions clearly
Narrate events and experiences
Respond spontaneously to follow-up questions

Expert Tip

This is worth half your marks. Prepare stories and opinions for each theme. Use connecting words to link ideas naturally.

Example

Example themes: Your education plans (future) and a memorable holiday (past).

How You're Assessed

Communication

30%

How effectively you get your message across

Clear and successful communication
Appropriate responses to questions
Effective task completion
Good interaction with examiner

Range of Language

30%

Variety in vocabulary and structures

Wide range of vocabulary
Variety of grammatical structures
Complex sentence constructions
Idiomatic expressions

Accuracy

25%

Correctness of grammar and pronunciation

Accurate grammar and verb forms
Correct pronunciation and intonation
Proper use of agreements
Clear articulation

Fluency & Spontaneity

15%

Natural flow and instant responses

Natural rhythm and flow
Minimal hesitation
Spontaneous responses
Confident delivery

Essential Vocabulary by Level

Foundation Level Vocabulary

1200 word families (Foundation)
Personal identification
Family and friends
Daily routine
School and education
Hobbies and leisure
Food and drink
Shopping
Travel and transport
Technology basics
Environment
Work and careers

Higher Level Vocabulary

1700 word families (Higher)
Abstract concepts
Complex emotions
Social issues
Cultural topics
Advanced technology
Global issues
Professional vocabulary

GCSE French Conversation Themes

People and Lifestyle

Foundation Tier Topics:

Personal information and family
Daily routines and school life
Healthy living basics
Simple relationships

Higher Tier Topics:

Complex personality traits
Relationship dynamics and conflicts
Health issues and lifestyle choices
Career ambitions and work experience

Key Vocabulary:

La familleLes caractèresLa santéLe travail

Popular Culture

Foundation Tier Topics:

Hobbies and free time
Sports and activities
TV and entertainment
Traditional festivals

Higher Tier Topics:

Media influence on youth
Cultural events and significance
Celebrity culture analysis
Technology and social media

Key Vocabulary:

Les loisirsLe sportLa téléLes fêtes

Communication and Travel

Foundation Tier Topics:

Holiday destinations
Transport methods
Weather and climate
Basic travel problems

Higher Tier Topics:

Environmental impact of travel
Cultural exchange benefits
Global communication challenges
Tourism effects on local communities

Key Vocabulary:

Les vacancesLes transportsLe tempsLes voyages

Common French Mistakes to Avoid

Gender confusion (le/la/les)

Gender confusion (le/la/les)

Incorrect auxiliary verb in perfect tense (avoir vs être)

Incorrect auxiliary verb in perfect tense (avoir vs être)

Forgetting past participle agreement with être

Forgetting past participle agreement with être

False friends from English (actuellement ≠ actually)

False friends from English (actuellement ≠ actually)

Partitive article errors (du, de la, des)

Partitive article errors (du, de la, des)

Word order in questions

Word order in questions

Pronunciation of silent letters

Pronunciation of silent letters

Nasal sounds (on, an, en, in)

Nasal sounds (on, an, en, in)

Liaison errors between words

Liaison errors between words

Confusing tu/vous forms

Confusing tu/vous forms

GCSE French Speaking FAQs

What is the GCSE French speaking exam format?

The speaking exam has 3 parts: Role Play (2 mins), Photo Card Discussion (3 mins), and General Conversation (5 mins). Total duration is 10-12 minutes depending on tier.

What's the difference between Foundation and Higher tier?

Foundation tier (grades 1-5, A2 level) covers basic communication, while Higher tier (grades 4-9, B1 level) requires more complex language and spontaneous responses.

Which exam boards does this cover?

Our practice covers all major exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC. The core format and assessment criteria are consistent across all boards.

How is the role play section marked?

Worth 25% of your speaking grade, you complete transactional tasks with some unpredictable elements. Focus on clear communication and appropriate responses.

What topics should I prepare for conversation?

You'll discuss two themes from: People & Lifestyle, Popular Culture, Communication & Travel. Practice expressing opinions and using past, present, and future tenses.

How long should I prepare for GCSE French speaking?

Most students need 2-4 months regular practice. Our AI tracks your progress across all three components and adapts to strengthen weak areas.

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