GCSE Polish (8688) - Specification For teaching from September 2017 onwards

Oct 20, 2026

GCSE Polish (8688) specification outlining how to teach and assess the subject for GCSE exams from 2019 onwards, with version 1.1 dated June 2026. It covers the rationale for choosing AQA, the support and resources available for planning, teaching, and exam preparation, and provides an overview of subject content, themes, grammar, communication strategies, and vocabulary. The document also details assessment aims, objectives, weighting, the four papers for listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and general administration including entries, codes, grades, resits, prerequisites, and access arrangements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages132

Reading Time5 h 33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Why choose AQA for GCSE Polish?

Support and resources to help you teach

Specification at a glance

Subject content

Assessments

Subject content

Themes

Scope of study

Grammar

Communication strategies

Vocabulary

Scheme of assessment

Aims and learning outcomes

Assessment objectives

Assessment weightings

Paper 1: Listening

Paper 2: Speaking

Paper 3: Reading

Paper 4: Writing

Assessment criteria

General administration

Entries and codes

Overlaps with other qualifications

Awarding grades and reporting results

Resits and shelf life

Previous learning and prerequisites

Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion

Working with AQA for the first time

Private candidates

| GCSE
POLISH
(8688) | | --- | | Specification
For teaching from September 2017 onwards For GCSE exams in 2019 onwards | Version 1.1 June 2026 Contents 1 Introduction 5 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Polish? 5 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach 5 2 Specification at a glance 7 2.1 Subject content 7 2.2 Assessments 7 3 Subject content 11 3.1 Themes 11 3.2 Scope of study 12 3.3 Grammar 14 3.4 Communication strategies 20 3.5 Vocabulary 29 4 Scheme of assessment 105 4.1 Aims and learning outcomes 105 4.2 Assessment objectives 105 4.3 Assessment weightings 106 4.4 Paper 1: Listening 107 4.5 Paper 2: Speaking 107 4.6 Paper 3: Reading 109 4.7 Paper 4: Writing 110 4.8 Assessment criteria 111 5 General administration 129 5.1 Entries and codes 129 5.2 Overlaps with other qualifications 129 5.3 Awarding grades and reporting results 129 5.4 Resits and shelf life 130 5.5 Previous learning and prerequisites 130 5.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion 130 5.7 Working with AQA for the first time 131 5.8 Private candidates 131 [Visit](Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification)[ ](Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification)[aqa.org.uk/8688](Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification)[ for the most up-to-date specification](Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification), resources, support and administration 3 Are you using the latest version of this specification? • You will always find the most up-to-date version of this specification on our website at [aqa.org.uk/8688](aqa.org.uk/8688) • We will write to you if there are significant changes to the specification. [4](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification)[ Visit](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification)[ ](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification)[aqa.org.uk/8688](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification)[ for the most up-to-date specification](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 for the most up-to-date specification), resources, support and administration 1 Introduction 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Polish? A specification designed for you and your students We’ve worked with a range of teachers to create this specification. We have focussed on ensuring that our assessments are clear, accessible and discriminate effectively. Our objective is to enable students of all abilities to develop their Polish language skills to their full potential, equipping them with the knowledge to communicate in a variety of contexts with confidence. Languages for life At AQA we're passionate about the benefits that learning a language can bring. We strongly believe in languages as a skill for life and something students should enjoy and find rewarding. We know you want a specification which you can enjoy teaching, and one which expands your students' cultural knowledge whilst developing their language skills. We are confident our assessments will deliver the right results for your students. We want to help you to attract students of all abilities to languages and to deliver the assessments and results you and your students deserve. Comprehensive support We are here to offer a comprehensive range of support and resources to assist your planning, teaching and assessment of our specifications. You can rely on us to support you when you need help. You can find out about all our Polish [qualifications at](qualifications at aqa.org.uk/languages)[ ](qualifications at aqa.org.uk/languages)[aqa.org.uk/languages](qualifications at aqa.org.uk/languages) 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach We’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams. 1.2.1 Teaching resources [Visit](Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 to see all)[ ](Visit aqa.org.uk/8688 to see all)[aqa.org.uk/8688](Vis

FAQs

What is the teaching and exam timeframe covered by this GCSE Polish (8688) specification?

It states the specification is for teaching from September 2017 onwards and for GCSE exams in 2019 onwards.

What support and resources does AQA provide for delivering GCSE Polish?

It includes planning materials such as sample schemes of work, training courses, subject expertise courses for teachers, and exam preparation resources like past papers, mark schemes, and examiners’ reports.

Which assessment papers are included and what skills do they target?

The assessment includes four papers: Paper 1 Listening, Paper 2 Speaking, Paper 3 Reading, and Paper 4 Writing, supported by assessment aims, objectives, weighting, and assessment criteria.

Oct 20, 2026

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