English Language and English Literature

AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature

Students study AQA courses in both English Language and English Literature which lead to two GCSE awards at the end of Year 11.

Content

English Language

Two external examinations that count for 100 % of the total GCSE English Language mark.

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (1 hour 45 minutes) 50%

Section A Reading: one unseen literature fiction text.

Section B Writing: descriptive or narrative writing.

Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives (1 hour 45 minutes) 50%

Section A Reading: one non-fiction text and one literary non-fiction text.

Section B Writing: writing to present a viewpoint.

Non-examined assessment: Spoken Language

English Literature

Two external examinations that count for 100 % of the total GCSE English Literature mark.

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th century novel (1 hour 45 minutes) 40%

Section A: Shakespeare: Macbeth - students will answer one question on the play. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.

Section B: The 19th century novel: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - students will answer one question on the novel. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the novel and then to write about the novel as a whole.

Paper 2: Modern texts and poetry (2 hours 15 minutes) 60%

Section A: Modern texts: An Inspector Calls - students will answer one essay question from a choice of two on the novel.

Section B: Poetry: Love and Relationships - students will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from the Anthology.

Section C: Unseen poetry: students will answer one question on one unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

Assessment

All written components are externally-assessed through terminal examinations.

For Language, the Spoken Language presentation is assessed by the class teacher.

Teaching Methodology

Students can expect to take part in class discussions of texts, to prepare presentations, to work in groups as well as completing individual reading and writing tasks and essays. Drama-based activities support our study of texts as well as a whole range of speaking and listening activities. Students are encouraged to become confident and analytical readers who can effectively articulate their interpretations of texts both verbally and in formal writing. Students are encouraged to read a wide range of novels, poetry, plays, poems and non-fiction to support their study of English Language and English Literature GCSE.

Co-curricular and Enrichment

The English Department offers creative writing and reading clubs through the LRC, the successful Debating Society, a creative writing trip to the Arvon centre, and the opportunity to take part in drama performances. Theatre trips are offered to support literary study. There is also an English reading society.

Progression after GCSE

The two GCSE courses provide all students a solid grounding in fundamental reading and writing skills which are essential for accessing the entire curriculum. Those who wish to continue the study of Literature, may do so at A Level.