Translation tips Foundation – Avoiding common mistakes – AQA French GCSE

A set of translation tips designed for Foundation students following the AQA French GCSE specification (first assessment 2026). This is not just another translation tip sheet: it is informed by a careful analysis of AQA’s sample papers to provide students with the key habits and checks needed to avoid common mistakes in both translation directions.

What’s included

• 2 separate pages with specific tips for Translation into English and Translation into French
• A clear, student-friendly overview of how to approach translation tasks
• Structured tips on tenses, verb forms and time markers
• A focus on common traps: small words, false friends and reflexive verbs
• Key fixed expressions and high-frequency structures from the AQA vocab list
• Practical guidance to help students produce accurate translations
• Available in PDF and editable PPTX, in colour and black-and-white versions

Designed to support GCSE Foundation students in developing a reliable translation method, this resource encourages careful reading, precise language choices and consistent checking before writing. A ready-to-use reference document for translation practice, helping students build and reinforce good habits.

I hope you find it useful.

You might also be interested in these related resources in my shop:

• Translation booklet – Foundation – AQA French GCSE
• Translation tips Higher – Aiming for full marks – AQA French GCSE
• Translation booklet – Higher – AQA French GCSE
• Translation booklets bundle – AQA French GCSE

© Part of the La belle étoile collection

This resource follows the current AQA French GCSE specification and is not affiliated with or endorsed by AQA.