What do I have to do for the Writing exam ?
Nothing. Hetton School chooses to enter pupils for the written coursework option instead.

How much of my grade is the Coursework worth ?
25%
Therefore each piece is worth just over 8% of your final grade.

How many pieces of coursework do I have to do ?
Each candidate has to submit 3 pieces of coursework to the exam board.
Each piece of coursework has to be from a different theme. Your teacher will take care of this part.
It is possible that you will complete more than 3 pieces of coursework before the deadline, and your teacher will submit the best 3.

Who marks my coursework ?
Usually your class teacher.
We mark some pieces as a whole department so that we know that we are all marking to the same standard. This is called Moderation.
Each piece of work is marked out of 20, so you will get a final mark out of 60 for the coursework.
Then we send all the marks to the exam board. The examiners will want to see a sample of coursework, so yours may be chosen.

How will my coursework be marked ?
Each of the pieces of coursework is given three marks:
A mark out of 10 for Communication and Content
A mark out of 5 for Knowledge and Application of Language
A mark out of 5 for Accuracy of Language
The three marks are then added together to give you a mark out of 20.
Click here to see the mark scheme.

Am I allowed to use a dictionary ?
Usually yes.
However, you have to write the final draft of one of the pieces under exam conditions, and you will not be able to use a dictionary for this.

Can I use an internet translator ?
No.
Internet translators are hopeless. You can write something a lot better using the materials mentioned below.
It will be very obvious to your teacher if you have used an internet translator. Your writing will not make sense and will often be full of amusing mistakes.
This is what an internet translator made of Humpty Dumpty. Do you want your coursework to be so obviously wrong?
"Humpty Dumpty is rest on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
Horses of all the king and men of all the king
Could not still go up Humpty"

What else can I use to help me ?
Your exercise book
Your file
Your text book
Other resources that you usually use in the classroom (learning mats etc.)
The school website

My brother speaks French - can I get him to help me ?
If your teacher has even the slightest suspicion that your coursework is not your own, they will refuse to mark it. You and your teacher both have to sign an official form which states that the work is your own.

What kind of thing will I have to write ?
There are three types of assignment:
Type 1 - Grades E, F and G - Lists, labelling, short messages, gap-fill tasks and short letters.
Type 2 – Grades C and D - longer letters, articles, descriptions, accounts which give candidates the opportunity to use different tenses and to express opinions.
Type 3 – Grades A*, A and B - extended writing tasks giving candidates the opportunity to express ideas, justify points of view and research their own interests. Could include film or book reviews, letters, articles on topical issues.

How many words will I have to write ?
If you're aiming for Grades A*-C: the three pieces added together should add up to about 600 words
If you're aiming for Grades D-G: the three pieces added together should add up to about 350 words
Remember though, that quality is more important than quantity !

So what do I have to do ?
Your teacher will introduce to you the coursework title, and will tell you what you will be expected to write about and what you will need to include. They will also ensure that you have the necessary resources and materials to be able to complete the coursework.
Then you will complete your first draft and hand it in to your teacher. Your teacher is not allowed to write on this draft. They will read it and give you some general feedback on a special exam-board sheet. Then you will use your first draft and the feedback to produce a final draft.

I'm not sure I've completed all the coursework. How can I check what I need to do ?
Click here to find out the pieces of work that your group should have done.

What is the deadline for the coursework ?
We have to submit all the marks by the end of the first week of May (Y9 or Y11)
This means that all the work must be completed, handed in and marked by the end of April.
Your teacher will give you the deadline for your group, which is likely to be the beginning of April.

What will I be expected to do for a Grade C?
Express personal opinions
Write about a variety of topics
Use past, present and future tenses.
Your style will be basic but despite some errors your writing will convey a clear message.

What will I be expected to do for a Grade A ?
Give information and narrate events both factually and imaginatively.
Express and justify ideas and points of view.
Produce longer sequences using a range of vocabulary structure and verb tenses.
Spelling and grammar are generally accurate.

What are the five themes that I can write coursework on ?

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