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.
Choose Your Tier
Foundation Tier
Covers fundamental communication skills
Best for: Students aiming for grades 1-5, building confidence in basic French communication
Higher Tier
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
Complete practical tasks in French-speaking situations
What you need to do:
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
Describe and discuss a photo stimulus
What you need to do:
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
Discuss two themes in depth
What you need to do:
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
How effectively you get your message across
Range of Language
Variety in vocabulary and structures
Accuracy
Correctness of grammar and pronunciation
Fluency & Spontaneity
Natural flow and instant responses
Essential Vocabulary by Level
Foundation Level Vocabulary
Higher Level Vocabulary
GCSE French Conversation Themes
People and Lifestyle
Foundation Tier Topics:
Higher Tier Topics:
Key Vocabulary:
Popular Culture
Foundation Tier Topics:
Higher Tier Topics:
Key Vocabulary:
Communication and Travel
Foundation Tier Topics:
Higher Tier Topics:
Key Vocabulary:
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.
Start Your GCSE French Speaking Practice Today
Join thousands achieving success in GCSE French with AI-powered practice