This introduction covers Dictation: Foundation Level within Foundation dictation practice passages for GCSE French. Revise Foundation dictation practice passages in Dictation Technique for GCSE French with 10 exam-style questions and 10 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 1 of 5 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🎧 Dictation: Foundation Level
Foundation dictation on AQA 8652 Paper 1 is 28–36 words of everyday French — a short paragraph about topics like family, school, free time, or health. It sounds manageable, but the marks are split into two grids: Grid A (content words) and Grid B (grammar forms). Missing a silent -ent or writing the infinitive instead of the past participle can cost you Grid B marks even when your meaning is perfect. This topic shows you exactly what to listen for and why.
Practice questions for Foundation dictation practice passages
Listen to the passage three times, then write exactly what you hear in French.
Listen to the passage three times, then write exactly what you hear in French.
Quick recall flashcards
How is the Foundation dictation marked?
Two grids worth 5 marks total. Grid A (3 marks): key content words — nouns, verbs, adjectives. Grid B (2 marks): grammar/spelling agreements — e.g. verb endings, plural -s, accent marks.
You hear 'lékol'. How do you write this?
l'école — elision contracts 'le/la' to 'l'' before a vowel. The apostrophe signals two words joined: l' + école.