ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE
Courses: English Language and English Literature
Level: GCSE
English Literature:
This course encourages students to be inspired and challenged by reading a range of literature, both historical and current. Students explore different themes and ideas in the texts below and then answer questions on each in the exams.
Assessment
This qualification consists of two externally-examined papers.
- Paper 1 – Students read and analyse an extract before making links to the rest of the text.
- Section A: Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- Section B: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
- Paper 2 Section A: An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley
Students will explore issues surrounding social injustice.
- Paper 2 Section B: Power and Conflict Poetry
Students will compare 2 of the poems they have studied about power and conflict.
- Paper 2 Section C: Unseen Poetry
Students compare the ideas and methods used in two poems connected by a theme.
English Language:
Students will develop their analytical, inference and core writing skills. Students read a range of non-fiction and fiction texts. They will analyse, evaluate and compare the use of language and structure in a text before completing their own pieces of creative and transactional writing.
Assessment
This qualification consists of two externally-examined papers and one non-examined assessment where students will prepare and deliver a presentation, respond to questions and feedback.
- Paper 1 – Explorations in creative reading and writing
- Section A: Students will read, analyse and evaluate one literature fiction text.
- Section B: Students will be assessed on descriptive or narrative writing,
- Paper 2 – Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
- Section A: Students will read, analyse and compare one non-fiction and one literary non-fiction text.
- Section B: Students will be assessed of writing to present a viewpoint.
Progression
GCSE English Language and/or Literature is a major requirement of many employers and post 16 courses. There is a real emphasis placed on students achieving at least one of these qualifications with at least a standard pass (Grade 4 or higher). Students can progress to study A Levels in English/Literature.
Examples of future careers include: Media, Journalism, Teaching and Publishing.