10 GCSE French tips every student should know

Preparing for your GCSE French exam? Whether you’re aiming for top marks or want to feel more confident in your language skills, having a solid revision strategy is key. These revision tips are designed to help you master vocabulary, grammar, speaking, listening, reading and writing – everything you need to succeed!

1. Plan your French revision time

Start by creating a French GCSE revision timetable that covers all key topics. The Oxford Revise AQA GCSE French Higher or Foundation revision guides are a great tool. Use the contents page to break down the themes and tick off each section as you go. This helps ensure you’ve covered everything and keeps your study sessions focused. 

2. Use the ‘chunking’ method

Short bursts of focused learning and more effective than long cramming sessions. Spend 15 minutes learning 10-12 new French words, then review them the next day. This technique supports long-term vocabulary retention and helps you build a strong foundation. 

3. Focus on core French content

Make sure you understand the essentials: common French verbs in three tenses, time phrases, opinions, and reasons. These elements appear frequently in exams and are crucial for success. The Basics section in your Oxford Revise revision guide is a great place to start for mastering core French content as part of your GCSE French revision. 

4. Practice sound-spelling links

French pronunciation can be tricky. Use the list of sound-spelling links in your guide and practise with audio examples. Repeat words aloud and try transcribing them to improve your pronunciation and dictation skills for the speaking and listening papers.

5. Master French grammar

Grammar is the backbone of the French language. Use the grammar tips and dedicated grammar section of your revision guide to review key tenses (past, present and future) and sentence structure. Try summarising grammar rules on flashcards or explaining them to someone else to reinforce your understanding. 

6. Exercise your memory

Active recall is one of the most effective French revision techniques. Use methods like ‘look, cover, write, check’ and test yourself with the retrieval quizzes. These help you identify what you’ve retained and what needs more work. Your Oxford Revise revision guide for AQA French provides plenty of recall practice on the Knowledge: vocabulary learning pages – cover the English first and then the French. 

7. Practise speaking French out loud

The best way to prepare for your GCSE French speaking exam is to practise speaking regularly. Use the exam-style prompts in your Oxford Revise French GCSE guide, record yourself, and listen back to improve your fluency and pronunciation. Speaking in front of a mirror or with a friend can also boost your confidence.

8. Tackle reading and listening comprehension

Get familiar with different types of French comprehension tasks, including multiple-choice questions and answering in English. Use your Oxford Revise French revision guide to practise and then review the mark schemes or transcripts to understand any mistakes. 

9. Tackle reading and listening comprehension

Build a bank of impression French sentence starters and phrases that you can use across topics. Learn how to express and justify opinions clearly. Focus on using vocabulary and grammar you know well to maximise your marks in the writing exam. 

10. Practise French translation both ways

Translation is a key skill in exams. Use the example sentences in your guide to practise translating from English to French and vice versa. Compare your translations with the version in the guide and learn from alternative correct versions. 

Final Thought: make the most of your French revision guide

Your Oxford Revise AQA GCSE French revision guide is packed with resources to help you succeed – from grammar explanations to speaking prompts and comprehension tasks. Use it actively and consistently to build confidence and improve your performance across all exam papers. 

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