English Language

What will I do on this course? (September 2018)

You will have 4 lessons of English a week (in Y10/Y11). You will be developing the skills you will need to help you in the exam. Some of the course will develop your reading skills, such as inference and deduction. You will also develop your writing skills exploring a range of different styles. In addition, there will be opportunities for you to develop your speaking and listening skills through group work, individual presentations and drama activities.

How am I assessed?

This GCSE will be assessed entirely by exams which you will take at the end of Y11. You will also be awarded a mark for ‘speaking and listening’ which will be recorded separately.

There are two exam papers for English Language, each worth 50%:

• Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
• Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
  
  What skills do I need?   You will need to be able to:
   
• read fluently, and with good understanding, a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including literature and literary non-fiction as well as other writing such as reviews and journalism
• evaluate texts critically and make comparisons between texts
• summarise information or ideas from texts
• use knowledge gained from wide reading to inform and improve your own writing
• write effectively and coherently using Standard English appropriately
• use grammar correctly and punctuate and spell accurately
• acquire and apply a wide vocabulary, alongside a knowledge and understanding of grammatical terminology, and linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• listen to and understand spoken language and use spoken Standard English effectively.

Where do I find out more information?

Ask your English teacher or Ms Ciccone.

English Literature

What will I do on this course? (September 2018)

You will have 4 lessons a week (in Y10/Y11).  You will study a range of literature from different cultures and contexts in class, including both heritage and contemporary works. 

You will have opportunities to respond to texts through media, drama, discussion and written work.  You will develop different skills such as empathy and analysis.         

How am I assessed?

This GCSE will be assessed entirely by exams which you will take at the end of Y11. Again, there are two exams, each worth 50%:

• Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19^th Century Novel
• Paper 2: Modern Texts and Poetry

What skills do I need?

• Comprehension: understanding a word, phrase or sentence in context; exploring aspects of plot, characterisation, events and settings;
• Critical reading: identifying themes; supporting a point of view by referring to evidence in the text; exploring different responses to a text; using understanding of writers’ social, historical and cultural contexts to inform your ideas;
• Evaluation of writers’ choices: analysing and evaluating how language, structure, form and presentation contribute to quality and impact; using linguistic and literary terminology
• Comparing and contrasting texts studied, referring where relevant to themes, characters, context etc.
• Writing effectively about literature for a range of purposes such as: to describe, explain, summarise, argue, analyse and evaluate; discussing and maintaining a point of view; selecting and emphasising key points; using relevant quotation and using detailed textual references
• Accurate Standard English: accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Where do I find out more information?

Ask your English teacher or Ms Ciccone.

Any other essential information?

This is a dual award qualification to be studied along with GCSE English Language. You will be awarded two separate GCSE grades at the end of the course (GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature).

Any other essential information?

This is a dual award qualification to be studied along with GCSE English Literature. You will be awarded two separate GCSE grades at the end of the course (GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature).