Course Overview
Communication is essential when interacting with others. The ability to establish relationships with others and contribute effectively as an employee demands sound communication skills. Modern technology has had a significant impact on how we communicate locally and globally but has not replaced the need for competent use of English.
FAQs
What are the aims of the course?
The course aims to provide all students with the opportunity to become skilled, confident communicators in written and spoken English.
- Students will learn how to:
- Communicate clearly and effectively;
- Listen to and participate in discussion;
- Structure and organise their speech;
- Read with insight and engagement;
- Distinguish between fact and opinion;
- Write accurately using Standard English;
- Adapt writing to suit different purposes and audiences;
- Respond to texts from a wide variety of genres.
- Select and evaluate information from their reading;
- Effectively organise and plan their writing;
What topics will I study?
A Shakespeare play, 20th century drama*, creative writing, poems from other cultures, poems of the English Heritage*, a prose text or short stories and a study of media.
(* except set 5 students)
What examination will I take?
AQA English (sets 1 to 5) and AQA English Literature(sets 1 to 4)
Please note that students will need their own copy of the prose text being studied for the final Literature examination.
What is involved with the examination?
English Language:
Coursework: 20%
Oral Assessment: 20%
Examination: 60%
English Literature
Coursework: 30%
Oral Assessment: 20%
Examination: 70%
What coursework will I have to complete?
All students must complete a coursework folder of five assignments that cover the assessment for both Language and Literature. An anthology of poetry and prose is published by the Awarding Body for use in the examinations.
What independent study will I have to undertake?
There are ample opportunities for independent study and students are encouraged to express their own views and opinions.
Where will I Keep my work?
- You will work in an exercise book for drafting and language work. Your teacher will look at your work and comment on how you might make improvements.
- You will also work on A4 paper for selected pieces, which will be formally marked in levels, according to the National Curriculum and kept in a folder in school.
- Your folder can be taken home to show to your parents on request but is used for all three years in KS3 and so must be returned to school.
GCSE English Y11
The below information is suitable for students in Year 11 up to July 2011.
Coursework
Download GCSE English/English Literature coursework overview 
During the two year course you will complete 5 pieces of coursework which form a 20% of your English GCSE and 30% of your English Literature GCSE.
- Shakespeare
- The Media
- Pre 1914 Prose Study
- Original Writing
- Post 1914 Drama
Examinations
Download CSE English/English Literature exam overview
ENGLISH LITERATURE
One exam paper, 1 hour and 45 minutes long, worth 70% of the overall Literature assessment.
Section A – Post 1914 Prose
You will have to answer one question based on a post 1914 prose text that you will study in class. This may be taken from the GCSE Anthology.
Section B – Response to Pre and Post 1914 Poetry
You will have to answer one question based on the Pre 1914 poetry bank in the Anthology and a selected poet (Seamus Heaney, Gillian Clarke, Carol Ann Duffy, or Simon Armitage)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
There are two exam papers, each two hours long, each worth 30% of the overall English Language assessment.
PAPER 1
Section A – Reading and response to unseen non-fiction materials.
You will have to read and answer questions on a piece of non-fiction (e.g. a newspaper article, leaflet or factual and informative material)
Section B – Writing to argue, persuade or advise.
You will be asked to answer one of the two questions which require you to produce a piece of writing in a specific form. It is important to write for the Audience and Purpose specified.
PAPER 2
Section A – Response to Poets from Other Cultures and Traditions
You will also answer one question based on the Poems From Other Cultures in the Anthology.
Section B – Writing to inform, explain or describe
You will be asked to produce a piece of writing in a specific form. It is important to write for the Audience and Purpose specified. There will be a selection of tasks
Light Hall School 2010.
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