GCSE English: Spoken Language Presentation

Every student taking GCSE English Language in England gives a formal spoken presentation. It is reported as a separate endorsement – Pass, Merit, Distinction or Not Classified – next to the 9–1 grade, and it does not change that grade. Because it is assessed by the teacher rather than in the exam hall, it is easy to leave it to the last minute. This material helps you prepare it properly.

The DfE subject content for GCSE English Language sets out three strands of spoken language: presenting information and ideas in a prepared talk, planned for a particular purpose and audience; listening and responding appropriately to questions and feedback; and expressing ideas in spoken Standard English. The material works through each strand. You practise narrowing a broad subject into a focused, arguable topic that suits a talk of around ten minutes (for example, AQA gives ten minutes as a guide), structuring the talk with a hook, clear sections, signposting phrases and a memorable ending, and handling the questions that follow: listening carefully, asking for clarification when needed, answering directly and developing the answer with evidence.

A separate strand looks at spoken Standard English. You learn to tell Standard English (a matter of grammar and vocabulary, which can be spoken in any accent) from common non-standard forms such as 'we was', 'I done it', 'them books' and 'could of', and to keep a register that suits a formal setting. The competency basis of the assessment is also explained: the teacher judges the performance as a whole, and a student must meet every criterion for a grade to be awarded it.

The material offers a quiz on the format, planning, structure, questions and Standard English; flashcards on the key terms; a written work sheet in which you plan openings, signposting, answers to questions and corrections to non-standard sentences; and an oral exam in which the examiner listens to your topic and opening, then questions you on it as an audience would, so you can rehearse the question-and-answer part of the presentation.

• Explain how the Spoken Language endorsement is reported and assessed in England
• Narrow a broad subject into a focused topic with a clear purpose and audience
• Structure a formal talk with a hook, signposted sections and a memorable ending
• Listen to questions and feedback and respond directly, with developed answers
• Recognise and correct non-standard spoken forms and keep a formal register

Practice material written by Zestly, based on the DfE GCSE English language subject content and assessment objectives (DFE-00232-2013, spoken language: presenting, responding to questions and feedback, spoken Standard English; AO7–AO9) and, as an example of a board's arrangements, the AQA GCSE English Language (8700) specification, version 1.5, section 4.4.