[EDLING:259] UK: Pass a French exam without writing 'un mot'

[Francis M. Hult]

Telegraph

Pass a French exam without writing 'un mot'

Pupils can now pass their French GCSE examination without writing a single word 
of the language.

Thousands of candidates took modern language GCSEs this month dominated by 
multiple choice questions where all that is required is to tick a box or link 
phrases without actually writing anything.

The exams require pupils to read and listen to the foreign language and answer 
questions, but candidates are able to gain the majority of marks without 
writing a sentence.

Edexcel, one of the biggest exam boards, actually points out in its 
specification documents for the foundation tier papers, which cover grades C or 
lower in French, German and other modern foreign languages, that "most tasks 
will not require a written response in the target language".

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