Edexcel GCSE Chinese (1CN0-3F) 2017 SAM -Reading

Introduction: Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Chinese

(Spoken Mandarin / Spoken Cantonese)

The Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) in Chinese is a comprehensive and structured qualification designed for learners in secondary schools and colleges, both in the UK and internationally. It assesses the four key language skills—Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing—to provide a well-rounded evaluation of a student's ability to understand and use Chinese in real-world contexts.

This qualification is available in two spoken language options:

• Mandarin Chinese (普通话)

• Cantonese Chinese (广东话)

It is part of the broader suite of GCSE qualifications offered by Pearson and aligns with the UK government's reform of GCSEs to a 9–1 grading scale, with 9 being the highest grade. The new specification has been in effect since September 2016, replacing the previous format which included:

• (5CN01/1H) – Listening

• (5CN02) – Speaking

• (5CN03/3H) – Reading and Writing

Foundation Tier Overview

The Pearson Edexcel GCSE Chinese is assessed at two tiers: Foundation and Higher. This section outlines the structure of the Foundation Tier, which targets students aiming for grades 1–5.

Paper 1: Listening and Understanding in Chinese (1CN0/1F)

• Duration: 30 minutes + 5 minutes of reading time

• Total Questions: 14

• Format: Students listen to recordings in Chinese and respond to comprehension questions in English.

• Content: Real-life contexts including conversations, short interviews, and announcements

• Skills Assessed: General and specific understanding, gist recognition, and ability to infer meaning from tone and context

Paper 2: Speaking in Chinese (1CN0/2F)

• Duration: 7–9 minutes (plus 12 minutes of preparation time)

• Conducted by: The class teacher or exam administrator

• Assessment Format: The speaking assessment is divided into three mandatory tasks, conducted in the following order:

Task 1: Role Play

• The student responds to prompts in a short transactional scenario, such as buying a train ticket or ordering food.

Task 2: Picture-Based Task

• The student describes a given picture and answers related questions, using vocabulary and structures from familiar topics.

Task 3: General Conversation

• A conversation with the teacher based on a chosen theme (e.g., family, hobbies, school life). The student is encouraged to express opinions and provide details.

Important Notes for Teachers:

• All three tasks must be completed in sequence as specified by the exam board.

• The assessment should last no more than 9 minutes in total, excluding preparation time.

Key Features of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Chinese Qualification

• Designed to support progression to A-Level or further Chinese studies

• Emphasizes communication, fluency, and cultural understanding

• Offers flexibility to accommodate both Mandarin and Cantonese speakers

• Closely aligned with real-world language use and CEFR levels

This Foundation Tier pathway is ideal for learners with a basic to intermediate level of Chinese proficiency and provides an accessible platform to demonstrate language skills in a structured and supportive assessment format.

For a detailed breakdown of the Higher Tier papers, please refer to the next section.