This is a one-year course which aims to help rebuild confidence in English and develop your skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Each half term you will review the progress you have made and set yourself new targets. You will need to be realistic when assessing your strengths and weaknesses and be committed to making a real effort to improve within the short duration of the course.
Course Content
You will be studying the AQA English Language GCSE course in one year.
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Paper 1 |
Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing Section A Reading: one literature fiction text Section B Writing : descriptive or narrative writing |
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Paper 2 |
Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives Section A Reading: one non-fiction and one literary non-fiction text Section B Writing: writing to present a viewpoint |
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Speaking and Listening coursework |
You might need to undertake a speaking and listening assessment if you did not complete this at your previous place of study. |
Methods of Teaching and Learning
This course focuses very much on individual improvement in those areas of reading and writing which are causing you problems. You will be encouraged to make an individual learning plan, to review your progress regularly and to set yourself realistic targets.
Teaching will include a variety of methods and you will be expected to
- Write: analytical answers, stories, essays, leaflets, letters, essays and speeches;
- Read: a range of fiction and non-fiction extracts from novels, short stories and newspapers;
- Discuss: a range of texts and ideas in class in pairs, smalls groups or as part of a whole class.
Oral Assessment
You will do a variety of oral assessments throughout the course. These may be formal or informal and can take place without notice. Your tutor may award marks for discussion or group work done in the course of an ordinary lesson, therefore you need to try to incorporate speaking and listening skills in your work throughout the course. You will be awarded an oral grade which will be reported separately from your final GCSE grade.
Methods of Assessment
You may be eligible to enter the November GCSE English Language re-sit. Your teacher will talk through your options when you begin the course.
You will be assessed at the start of the course and this assessment will help you and your teacher to decide whether the November or June entry is best for you.
Resources
There are a variety of resources to support your learning including topic booklets, exemplar answers, revision video clips and a wide range of extracts for you to practise your skills.
Progression
GCSE English is an important qualification for progression into A-Level, a wide range of careers, and Further and Higher Education courses.
The achievement of a Grade 4 or above is evidence of your ability to read fluently and communicate clearly in writing with confidence and effectiveness.
Additional Costs
There are no specific charges, but you are expected to provide yourself with pens, paper, a ring binder and other items of stationery. You will also need a suitable bag in which to carry notes and work on A4 paper without folding them.
