English Language
English language and literature form the backbone of any GCSE education.
Students will not only extend their use of language, both written and spoken, but also study a range of texts that will enrich their understanding of the language as both a communication medium and an art form.
In year 7, year 8 and year 9, we prepare students for the AQA English Language and English Literature GCSE course.
KS3 English Language
In year 7, students will go ‘Around the World’ and explore a range of cultures and countries. Then will learn about myths, legends and unrequited love as they develop their reading and writing skills throughout the year.
In year 8, students will embed the skills they’ve developed throughout year 7 and begin to explore more challenging texts. They will learn about the consequences of power in The Hunger Games and Animal Farm.
The skills being assessed are as follows:
READING
- Assessment Objective 1 Identify and interpret ideas from a text and support with textual references.
- Assessment Objective 2 Analyse the writers’ use of language and structure.
- Assessment Objective 3 Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives across different texts.
- Assessment Objective 4 Evaluate texts critically.
WRITING
- Assessment Objective 5 Content and organisation.
- Assessment Objective 6 Technical accuracy.
KS4 English Language
This GCSE course aims to develop the ability of students to extract explicit and implicit meaning from a variety of nonfiction and literary nonfiction texts. Students are asked to support their findings using textual detail and then analyse how and why writers use language and structure to achieve particular effects and influence their readers. Students are then expected to replicate writing for a particular audience and purpose in a similar manner to the authors they have just studied.
KEY SKILLS
- Ability to match writing to suit a specific audience and purpose
- Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives
- Evaluate texts correctly and support ideas with appropriate textual references
- Use a range of language features and structural devices within writing
As a core subject and one of the most widely recognised GCSE qualifications, English Language is a course that will leave students with a wide range of further educational opportunities at A-level and degree level.
Further career opportunities include:
- Broadcasting
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Law
- Linguistic forensics
ASSESSMENT
The course is 100% examination and consists of:
- Paper One – 1 hour and 45 minutes – Explorations in creative reading and writing
- Paper Two – 1 hour and 45 minutes – Writer’s viewpoints and perspectives
Exam board:
