Guidance

Modern foreign languages: grade descriptors for GCSEs graded 9 to 1

Updated 6 September 2017

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1/grade-descriptors-for-gcses-graded-9-to-1-modern-foreign-languages

1. Grade 8

1.1 To achieve grade 8 candidates will be able to:

Listening

  • respond effectively to spoken language including more complex and extended passages, extracting information, identifying opinions and drawing conclusions

Speaking

  • initiate and sustain detailed conversations manipulating language mostly accurately, expressing ideas and justifying opinions and responding effectively to unpredictable questions
  • use mostly accurate pronunciation and intonation

Reading

  • respond effectively to written language including more complex and extended texts, identifying opinions and inferring meaning

Writing

  • write effectively for different purposes explaining ideas, expressing and justifying opinions and manipulating vocabulary and grammar, including some more complex language, mostly accurately

2. Grade 5

2.1 To achieve grade 5 candidates will be able to:

Listening

  • respond appropriately to spoken language including some more extended passages, identifying overall messages, key points, details and opinions

Speaking

  • develop conversations manipulating language with reasonable accuracy, expressing opinions and responding appropriately to unpredictable questions
  • use generally accurate pronunciation and intonation

Reading

  • respond appropriately to written language including some more extended texts, identifying overall messages, key points, details and opinions

Writing

  • write clearly for different purposes, expressing ideas and opinions and manipulating vocabulary and grammar with reasonable accuracy

3. Grade 2

3.1 To achieve grade 2 candidates will be able to:

Listening

  • respond to basic and familiar spoken language, identifying key points, and some details

Speaking

  • participate in conversations expressing simple opinions and using a limited range of language with some accuracy
  • use mainly understandable pronunciation and intonation

Reading

  • respond to familiar language in straightforward texts, identifying key points and some details

Writing

  • convey meaning and express simple opinions in familiar contexts using a limited range of language with some accuracy
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