English Language and
English Literature GCSE
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Two certificates
Coursework/controlled assessments
Exams (2 Language and 2 Literature)
Speaking and listening
‘Of Mice and Men’
‘An Inspector Calls’
‘Heroes’
Poetry
How can you support
your child in ‘English’?
‘English’ is about skills which are
honed over time…
• Written communication which is clear, effective and
appropriate to audience and purpose.
• Reading for meaning and analysing a writer’s choice of
language.
• Interpreting information.
• Reading between the lines – what is the sub-text?
• Analysing literature eg. novels/poetry.
• Understanding how context impacts upon a text.
• Writer’s message/intention.
• Understanding how a text is organised and the impact
upon the reader.
‘English’ is about skills which are
honed over time…
• Text types: letters, speeches, articles, reports, reviews,
argument
• Engaging stories and descriptions
• Spelling
• Punctuation
• Grammar – parts of speech eg. adjectives, verbs, verb
tense, sentence structure, syntax
• There/their/they’re
• To/too/two
• Of/off
• Where/were
• Your/you’re
1. Knowledge – pupils should: describe; identify;
recall.
2. Comprehension – pupils should: translate;
review; report; restate.
3. Application – pupils should: interpret; predict;
show how; solve; try in a new context.
4. Analysis – pupils should: explain; infer; analyse;
question; test; criticise.
5. Synthesis – pupils should: design; create;
arrange; organise; construct.
6. Evaluation – pupils should: assess; compare and
contrast; appraise; argue; select
Supporting your child in English can be
achieved by:
– Encourage them to stick to deadlines. Drafts of coursework
are due in on a regular basis and the dates are on SMH.
– Use the revision guides that we provide.
– Encourage them to read a daily newspaper and read fiction.
Build a climate of words at home. Let them see you read and
discuss the texts.
– Ask your child what they are interested in reading – what
genre, historical, sports….
– Talk about what they have read, why it was good and how it
could have been more engaging. Also, discuss any television
programmes or documentaries.
– Buy books as a Christmas and/or birthday present.
Supporting your child in English can be
achieved by:
– Support them by providing a quiet, large enough space in which
to work, away from distractions.
– Begin revision early – York Notes, websites, CGP guides, flash
cards, posters, essays, key terms, key techniques.
– Test on spellings they regularly seem to get wrong and discuss
new words.
– Encourage revision by watching ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘An
Inspector Calls’ together and asking questions.
– Test them on persuasive devices and key literary terms eg.
personification, imagery, juxtaposition
– Encourage them to utilise the exam board’s website – find past
papers and read the mark schemes/Examiner reports
How does school help when students are
struggling?
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Teacher revisits the skill
Teaching assistants offer support in class
Opportunity given in class for more practise
Lunchtime/after school support arranged with class
teacher
• Extra homework to ensure student has mastered
skills
• One-to-one tuition enrolment
• Re-testing after re-teaching
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zr9d7ty
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramainspectorcalls
/
http://www.gradesaver.com/an-inspector-calls/
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/o/of-mice-and-men/of-mice-and-men-at-aglance
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/proseheroes/