Key Stage 4
General Course Details:
All students study English in Years 10 and 11 and will be entered for GCSE or Entry Level Certificate.
The examining body is AQA and we follow specification A for both Language and Literature.
During the course students practise three activities: Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening.
What topics are covered?
English Language
Students will read and analyse a variety of texts including a Shakespeare play, a novel by a major writer with a well-established critical reputation, texts from different cultures and traditions as well as non-fiction texts encompassing newspapers, advertisements, speeches and reviews. They will take part in a range of speaking and listening activities involving explanation, analysis and persuasion. Writing tasks include descriptive pieces, reviews and informative texts.
Over the duration of the course, students will complete three coursework activities for speaking and listening as well as four written coursework essays based on Shakespeare, Prose Study, Media and Original Writing.
In addition to coursework, students take two written examinations for English Language which account for a further 60% of the final grade.
English Literature
Students study prose and poetry published before 1914 as well as more modern texts. The coursework component is based upon a drama script written after 1914, a Shakespeare play and a novel by a critically acclaimed author. Some pieces of coursework count towards the final grade for both English Language and English Literature.
The final examination for English Literature comprises one written examination which accounts for a further 70% of the final grade.
What activities can you expect to do in subject?
Students will read and discuss a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, as well as writing extended coursework essays. They will also prepare and deliver a variety of speaking and listening activities, on their own, in pairs and groups.
Homework
During Year 10, most homework is based upon the coursework assignment being tackled at the time. It is essential all homework is completed on time and to a good standard. During Year 11, students will be expected to work on revision tasks, as well as completing homework set by their teacher.
Will you need any special/different equipment?
A good quality dictionary and thesaurus are essential at GCSE level.
What else do you need to know?
Most careers require a GCSE in English and for specialisms like Journalism and work in the Media and Advertising, it is a prerequisite.
Where would you get any further information from?
Further information can be obtained from the following websites: