The Spoken Language endorsement
- It is a separate part of GCSE English Language, assessed by your teacher and graded Pass, Merit or Distinction (or Not Classified).
- It doesn't count towards your 9 to 1 grade, but it is reported on your certificate.
- You give a prepared, formal presentation, then respond to questions and feedback from your audience. You must use Standard English.
Planning
- Choose a topic you know about and care about, and research it. Plan a clear structure: an introduction, your main points and a conclusion.
- Use cue cards with short prompts rather than reading a full script.
Delivery
- Make eye contact, speak clearly, control your pace, and pause for emphasis. Use confident body language.
- Engage your audience with techniques such as rhetorical questions and anecdotes. Visual aids are optional.
Answering questions
- Listen carefully, take a moment to think, and answer fully and thoughtfully in Standard English.
Key terms
- Spoken Language endorsement
- The separately graded speaking part of GCSE English Language.
- Standard English
- The widely accepted, formal form of English.
- Presentation
- A prepared, formal talk given to an audience.
- Cue card
- A small card with short prompts to remind a speaker of their points.
- Delivery
- How a speech is spoken, including voice, pace and body language.
- Audience
- The people listening to a presentation.