English Language and English Literature GCSE

• 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?

• 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

•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-a-glance

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/proseheroes/