Learning a new language is always challenging. What adds to the complexity is having to take an exam. Polish GCSE revision can be frustrating. You might not know where to start or what to study.
Effective communication is the ultimate goal of the GCSE Polish course and assessment. The examiners need to see that you have gained the skills throughout the course.
You will be tested on your four language skills. But, no need to worry. We have gathered top revision tips and resources plus, Polish GCSE writing examples.
Polish Equivalent of GCSE
In Poland, the Egzamin Gimnazjalny and the Matura exams are equivalent to the UK’s GCSEs and A-Levels. Egzamin Gimnazjalny is taken after lower secondary education, while Matura is needed for university entry.
The Polish GCSE equivalent exams focus on a range of subjects similar to GCSEs, preparing students for either vocational routes or further academic studies. For more information, the University of Chester provides a helpful overview of Poland’s educational system and its exams.
Read more: What To Do on GCSE Results Day: Unboxing Your Future
All You Need to Know About the Polish GCSE Exam
The Polish GCSE exam tests your skills in four main areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each part is worth 25% of your final grade, so every skill is important.
The exam focuses on three main themes:
- Identity and culture: family, friends, customs, and technology.
- Local, National, and global issues: social issues, environmental topics, and travel.
- Current and future study and employment: school life, studies, and career choices.
The exam has two levels: Foundation and Higher. The Foundation Tier has simpler questions, while the Higher Tier requires more detail. Make sure you know which level you’re taking so you can focus on the right material.
Building Your Polish Vocabulary and Grammar
Polish grammar might seem challenging at first, but here are the basics:
- Nouns: Polish nouns have different forms for masculine, feminine, and neuter.
- Adjectives and adverbs: Make sure to match adjectives with the noun’s gender.
- Verb tenses: Polish verbs change for present, past, and future, so get comfortable with these tenses.
- Pronouns and prepositions: These are essential for making your sentences flow naturally.
Vocabulary Tips
Your Polish GCSE vocabulary will mostly come from the exam themes. Focus on words about family, cultural traditions, social and environmental issues, school, and careers. Grouping vocabulary by theme makes it easier to remember.
Best resource: Study Rocket has a detailed guide on Polish vocabulary, and the AQA Polish specification includes a vocabulary list with English translations.
Polish GCSE Listening Skills
The listening paper takes about 40 minutes. In the Foundation Tier, you answer in English, but for the Higher Tier, you’ll respond in Polish.
The best way to improve listening skills is through consistent exposure. Polish Music, movies, and YouTube channels are great resources.
To improve your exam skills focus on past listening papers.
Example Question
Listen to a conversation about weekend plans. What is Kasia planning to do on Saturday?
- A) Go to the cinema.
- B) Visit her grandparents.
- C) Study for exams.
What Are The Best Resources?
Past papers are always the number 1 GCSE resource. Practise them as much as you can. The Polish Pod podcast and Polish Pod 101 are great resources for improving your listening skills.
To improve your exam skills, focus on past listening papers provided below:
- Polish GCSE Listening Foundation Past Paper
- Polish GCSE Listening Foundation Mark Scheme
- Polish GCSE Listening Higher Past Paper
- Polish GCSE Listening Higher Mark Schemes
Polish GCSE Speaking Skills
The speaking paper has three parts:
- Role play: You’ll act out a scenario, like buying items at a market.
- Photo card: You’ll describe a picture and discuss its relevance, such as a Polish cultural event.
- General conversation: Talk about everyday topics related to the exam themes.
Sample role-play scenario
Imagine you’re at a Polish market. Greet the seller and ask for the price of apples.
Tips for Improving Polish Speaking Skills
Practising with a native speaker, even online, boosts your confidence and fluency.
GCSE Polish Speaking COMPLETE REVISION AND PRACTICE is an excellent revision book for GCSE Polish.
Engaging with native speakers is a proven method to improve speaking skills. Also, check out Quizlet’s practice flashcards for Poilsh GCSE.
Polish GCSE Reading Skills
This paper tests your reading skills through three sections: answering questions in English, then in Polish, and a short translation task.
Sample translation task
Translate “W Polsce coraz więcej ludzi angażuje się w działania na rzecz ochrony środowiska” into English.
Tips for Polish Reading Skills
Review the past papers and read accordingly. Search the web for Polish short stories, news or anything that interests you. Wolnelektury and Bilioteka are helpful resources.
Use BBC Bitesize for easy-to-understand lessons. They also provide downloadable audio files to improve your listening and speaking skills.
To improve your exam skills, focus on past reading papers provided below:
- Polish GCSE Reading Foundation Past Paper
- Polish GCSE Reading Foundation Mark Schemes
- Polish GCSE Reading Higher Past Paper
- GCSE Polish Reading Higher Mark Schemes
Polish GCSE Writing Skills
The writing paper includes translation, short text tasks, and open-ended writing prompts. You might be asked to write a paragraph about a favourite Polish dish or to translate sentences from English into Polish.
Polish GCSE writing examples
Write about your favourite Polish dish, describing when you first tried it and why you like it.
Piszesz tekst o szkole na polską stronę internetową. Opisz:
- jak wygląda Twoja szkoła
- ulubionego/-ą nauczyciela/-kę
- co ciekawego wydarzyło się ostatnio w Twojej szkole
- co zmieniłbyś/-abyś w swojej szkole w przyszłości.
Napisz tekst po polsku na około 90 słów.
Tips for Polish Writing Skills:
- Plan your response: Before writing, outline your introduction, main points, and conclusion. Use connecting phrases to make your writing flow naturally.
- Practise translation: Focus on the meaning rather than translating word-for-word to ensure your answer sounds natural in Polish.
Plus, you can focus on past writing papers provided below:
- GCSE Polish Writing Foundation Past Paper
- GCSE Polish Writing Foundation Mark Schemes
- GCSE Polish Writing Higher Past Paper
- GCSE Polish Writing Higher Mark Schemes
Achieve Your Best with Expert Guidance
Ostado is a leading tutoring platform for students around the UK. We provide personalised lesson plans and study techniques to help you get the best results.
With the help of our GCSE tutors, you will gain all the skills you need to succeed.
Extra Tips to Boost Your Polish GCSE Revision
Most students wonder how to get good grades in GCSE, the answer is dedication and consistency. The following tips can help you:
- Make a study plan: Set aside time each day for Polish language study, focusing on different skills each day. A GCSE revision timetable can help you.
- Explore Polish culture: Reading Polish literature or learning about Polish history can deepen your understanding and make learning the language more meaningful. Polimaty YouTube channel is an excellent resource for that.
- Use interactive tools: Quizlet flashcards, GCSE revision apps, and online tools like Memrise make vocabulary and grammar practice more engaging.
- Organise your vocabulary: Group terms by theme, alphabetically, or by topic to keep things clear and manageable.
Polish GCSE revision FAQ
- How long is Polish writing GCSE?Depending on the tier, you need to write 180-240 words. The foundation-tier exam takes 45 minutes, while the higher-tier exam takes 1 hour.
- Can you do A-level Polish?Yes. A-level Polish takes a deeper look at the language and culture of Polish-speaking society. The course also includes Polish literature and films.
- What languages can you do for GCSE?Multiple languages are available at the GCSE level. German, French, Russian, and Spanish included. Check with your school about the availability of foreign languages.