What should I focus on for Edexcel GCSE Japanese?

When answering oral questions, pause briefly to consider the register required by the context.

What should I focus on for Edexcel GCSE Japanese? (2)

In writing tasks, prioritise clarity and accuracy over complexity; ensure every particle is correct.

What should I focus on for Edexcel GCSE Japanese? (3)

For listening exams, focus on key words like names and numbers, as these carry specific meaning.

What should I focus on for Edexcel GCSE Japanese? (4)

Ensure you understand the difference between formal and familiar registers.

What should I focus on for Edexcel GCSE Japanese? (5)

Practice spontaneous speaking and repair strategies (rephrasing, circumlocution).

What are common mistakes in Edexcel GCSE Japanese?

Confusing the particles は (topic) and が (subject) when introducing oneself.

What are common mistakes in Edexcel GCSE Japanese? (2)

Omitting the honorific prefix お when using formal expressions like お名前.

What are common mistakes in Edexcel GCSE Japanese? (3)

Mispronouncing the 'r' sound in です or よろしく, often influenced by L1 interference.

Japanese

Edexcel

GCSE

Specification: Pearson-GCSE-Japanese

This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

Topics

Objectives

104

Exam Tips

113

Pitfalls

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Key Features

Master key concepts
Develop exam technique
Apply knowledge effectively

What Gets Top Grades

A*/Grade 9

Knowledge & Understanding

Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge

Uses correct subject-specific terminology
Shows detailed understanding of concepts
Makes accurate connections between topics
Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge

Application

Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts

Selects relevant knowledge for the question
Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
Uses examples appropriately
Shows awareness of context

Analysis & Evaluation

Develops sophisticated analytical arguments

Constructs logical chains of reasoning
Considers multiple perspectives
Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
Acknowledges limitations and nuances

Key Command Words

Edexcel

State

1 mark

Give a single fact or term

Identify

1 mark

Name, select, or recognise

Outline

2 marks

Set out main features briefly

Describe

2-4 marks

Give an account of what something is like or what happens

Explain

3-6 marks

Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains

Compare

2-4 marks

State similarities AND differences (both required)

Analyse

6-9 marks

Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains

Evaluate

6-12 marks

Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion

Assess

6-12 marks

Make judgments about importance with justification

Calculate

2-4 marks

Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units

Common Exam Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

•Confusing the particles は (topic) and が (subject) when introducing oneself.
•Omitting the honorific prefix お when using formal expressions like お名前.
•Mispronouncing the 'r' sound in です or よろしく, often influenced by L1 interference.
•Using numerical counters incorrectly, e.g., mixing 歳 and 才 for age.
•Using romaji (not credited).
•Misforming kana or kanji to the extent that it hinders clarity.
•Inappropriate tense formation (e.g., Ashita ikimashita).
•Mother-tongue interference.

Top Examiner Tips

Expert advice for exam success

•When answering oral questions, pause briefly to consider the register required by the context.
•In writing tasks, prioritise clarity and accuracy over complexity; ensure every particle is correct.
•For listening exams, focus on key words like names and numbers, as these carry specific meaning.
•Ensure you understand the difference between formal and familiar registers.
•Practice spontaneous speaking and repair strategies (rephrasing, circumlocution).
•Use the 12-minute preparation time effectively for speaking tasks to make notes (max one side of A4).
•Do not rely on rehearsed language; aim for natural interaction.
•Ensure you cover all bullet points in writing tasks to access higher marks.

Specification Topics

19 topics

E2E stub topic

This subtopic focuses on equipping students with essential language skills to introduce themselves and exchange personal information in Japanese. It covers vocabulary and grammar structures such as greetings, stating one's name, age, and nationality, and using basic particles like は and です. Mastery of this content enables learners to engage in simple conversations and lays the foundation for further study of the language and culture.

E2E stub subtopic

0 objectives3 tips4 pitfalls

Identity and culture

Theme 1: Identity and culture covers three main areas: Who am I? (relationships, friends, family, interests, role models), Daily life (customs, food, drink, shopping, social media/technology), and Cultural life (celebrations, festivals, reading, music, sport, film, television).

0 objectives7 tips8 pitfalls

Who am I?

This topic focuses on personal identity and relationships. It covers describing oneself, family, and friends, discussing past experiences, exploring interests, socialising, and identifying role models.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Daily life

This topic covers customs and everyday life, food and drink, shopping, and the use of social media and technology, including its advantages and disadvantages.

0 objectives6 tips6 pitfalls

Cultural life

This topic covers cultural life in Japanese-speaking communities, specifically focusing on celebrations and festivals, reading, music, sport, and film and television.

0 objectives6 tips6 pitfalls

Local area, holiday and travel

Theme 2 covers the local area, holidays, and travel. It includes preferences, experiences, and destinations for holidays; travel and tourist transactions such as accommodation, asking for help, dealing with problems, directions, eating out, and shopping; and descriptions of town, region, and country, including weather, places to see, and things to do.

0 objectives7 tips7 pitfalls

Holidays

Theme 2, Topic 1 covers holidays, focusing on student preferences, past experiences, and chosen destinations.

0 objectives5 tips6 pitfalls

Travel and tourist transactions

This topic covers essential travel and tourist transactions, including travel and accommodation, asking for help, dealing with problems, directions, eating out, and shopping.

0 objectives6 tips7 pitfalls

Town, region and country

This topic covers the description and discussion of the local area, region, and country. It includes talking about the weather, identifying places to see, and describing things to do in these locations.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

School

Theme 3 - School covers the educational experience, including school types, the structure of the school day, subjects, rules, pressures, celebrating success, and school activities such as trips, events, and exchanges.

0 objectives5 tips7 pitfalls

What school is like

This topic covers the school environment, including types of schools, the daily routine, subjects studied, school rules, pressures faced by students, and the celebration of academic or extracurricular success.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

School activities

This topic covers school activities, specifically focusing on school trips, events, and exchanges within the context of the student's home country and Japanese-speaking communities.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Future aspirations, study and work

This topic explores future plans, including the use of languages in professional and personal contexts, ambitions for further study, training, or volunteering, and specific career paths.

0 objectives6 tips6 pitfalls

Using languages beyond the classroom

This topic explores the practical application of Japanese language skills outside of the formal classroom environment, focusing on forming relationships, travel, and employment.

0 objectives6 tips7 pitfalls

Ambitions

This topic covers future aspirations, study, and work, specifically focusing on ambitions including further study, volunteering, and training.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

Work

Theme 4, Topic 3 - Work covers vocabulary and structures related to jobs, careers, and professions in the context of both the student's home country and Japanese-speaking communities.

0 objectives6 tips7 pitfalls

International and global dimension

Theme 5 focuses on the international and global dimension, covering topics related to bringing the world together through events and campaigns, as well as environmental issues such as sustainability and access to natural resources.

0 objectives6 tips6 pitfalls

Bringing the world together

Theme 5, Topic 1 focuses on 'Bringing the world together', covering sports events, music events, and campaigns or good causes, studied in the context of both the student's home country and Japanese-speaking communities.

0 objectives5 tips6 pitfalls

Environmental issues

This topic explores environmental issues, focusing on the concept of being 'green' and the management and access to natural resources, within the context of both the student's home country and Japanese-speaking communities.

0 objectives5 tips5 pitfalls

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