Choose a GCSE French tutor who knows the new specifications first examined in 2026, builds the set vocabulary systematically and practises pronunciation for the new dictation and read-aloud tasks. French spelling and sounds don’t always match, which makes the new tasks particularly important for French students. This guide explains what changed and how to choose a tutor.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches GCSE, IGCSE and IB languages one-to-one.

Key takeaways

• New specifications were first examined in 2026.
• Exams are built on set vocabulary lists.
• Dictation and read-aloud reward phonics practice.
• Speaking every lesson gives the fastest progress.

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What changed in GCSE French?

The new GCSE French specifications, first examined in 2026, are built around defined vocabulary lists and include dictation in listening and reading aloud in speaking. See AQA GCSE French 8652 or Pearson Edexcel GCSE French.

Feature	What it means
Vocabulary lists	Exams use set words for each tier
Dictation	Write heard sentences accurately
Read aloud	Pronunciation and fluency
Translation	Into and out of French
Tiers	Foundation and Higher

Where do students lose marks?

Most marks are lost through tense and agreement errors in writing, short speaking answers and spelling errors in dictation, especially with silent letters and accents. Other problems:

• answers in one time frame;
• opinions without reasons;
• mispronouncing common sounds;
• translation errors.

French sounds that cause trouble

Sound or feature	Example
Silent final letters	petit, grand
Nasal vowels	vin, bon, an
Accents	é, è, ê
Liaison	les amis

A tutor can practise these with short dictation and read-aloud exercises every lesson.

Signs your child needs a French tutor

• low speaking confidence;
• vocabulary not sticking;
• weak spelling and accents;
• old resources that don’t match the exam.

How to choose a GCSE French tutor: step by step

1. Confirm the board and tier.
2. Ask which skill is weakest.
3. Book a trial lesson with speaking and dictation.
4. Check the tutor uses the new vocabulary lists.
5. Ask about pronunciation practice.
6. Agree a plan linked to the speaking exam.

UK families can browse tutors in London; IGCSE students should see our guide to an IGCSE French tutor.

What should a good French tutor offer?

What to check	Why it matters
New specification knowledge	Tasks have changed
Phonics teaching	Dictation and read-aloud
Vocabulary routine	Set lists
Speaking practice	Big share of marks
Grammar	Accuracy

What does a good lesson look like?

1. A short conversation.
2. Vocabulary review.
3. One grammar point practised.
4. A dictation or read-aloud task.
5. Writing or translation with feedback.

When should students start?

Year 10 is ideal, when grammar and vocabulary build fastest.

How to tell tutoring is working

• clearer pronunciation;
• accurate dictation;
• longer speaking answers;
• rising mock grades.

How parents can help

• encourage French music, shows and podcasts;
• ask your child to read a short text aloud to you;
• keep vocabulary review short and daily.

Questions to ask a tutor

1. Have you taught the new GCSE French specification?
2. How do you teach pronunciation and dictation?
3. How much speaking will each lesson include?

How much tutoring is enough?

One hour a week suits most students, plus daily vocabulary review.

Speaking test tasks

Task	What to practise
Read aloud	Clear pronunciation of a short text
Role-play	Responding to set prompts naturally
Photo card	Describing and discussing images
Conversation	Opinions, reasons and different time frames

Exact formats differ by board, so a tutor should use the right specimen materials.

A sample Year 11 plan

Term	Focus
Autumn	Vocabulary themes and past tenses
Winter	Mock preparation in all four skills
Spring	Speaking practice before the oral
Summer	Listening, reading and writing papers

Foundation or Higher tier?

Foundation and Higher tiers use different vocabulary lists and question demands, and students must sit all papers at the same tier. A tutor can help decide which tier suits your child and focus on the right vocabulary.

French grammar that lifts grades

Using the perfect and imperfect tenses correctly, adding the near future and conditional, and justifying opinions all signal Higher-tier quality. Agreement of adjectives and past participles is a common source of lost marks in writing.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online GCSE language tutoring.

• A tutor matched to your child’s board and tier.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, shown before booking.
• AI lesson analysis gives a summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson.

See online tutoring in the UK.

Common mistakes

• Old resources → use new specification materials.
• Ignoring accents → check every word.
• One time frame → use past, present and future.
• No pronunciation practice → read aloud weekly.

Talk to us

For related guides, see choosing a GCSE tutor and an A Level French tutor. Or contact our team.

Summary: choose a GCSE French tutor who knows the new specifications, teaches set vocabulary and phonics, and practises dictation, read-aloud and speaking.

Frequently asked questions

Has GCSE French changed? +

Yes. New GCSE specifications in French, German and Spanish were first taught in 2024, with first exams in 2026. They use set vocabulary lists and include tasks such as dictation and reading aloud.

Why is French pronunciation important now? +

The new read-aloud and dictation tasks test how well students link French sounds to spellings, so pronunciation and phonics practice now earn marks directly.

How can a tutor help with GCSE French speaking? +

By practising read-aloud, role-play, photo description and conversation regularly, and by building answers with opinions, reasons and different time frames.

Which boards offer GCSE French? +

AQA, Pearson Edexcel and others. Confirm your child's board, because task formats differ slightly.

Does Tutopiya offer GCSE French tutors? +

Yes. Tutopiya's curriculum includes GCSE French for Edexcel and other boards, taught one-to-one online. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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