ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Year 9 Course Outline

English Language is taught in conjunction with English Literature in Year 9. Pupils follow a curriculum designed to equip them with the higher order skills required at Key Stage 4. The programme of study includes a Shakespeare play. Pupils will study An Inspector Calls, which will connect to the GCSE curriculum. All pupils will study either a novel or a collection of short stories. The development of technical accuracy and speaking and listening skills is embedded into lessons. Some work is undertaken in Year 9 specifically towards IGCSE English Language, namely the exploration of non-fiction texts and “Transactional Writing”. The end of year examination for English Language will be a Transactional Writing question.

Years 10 and 11 Course Outline

Pupils work towards the Edexcel IGCSE in English Language (which is taught alongside GCSE English Literature). In Year 10, we focus on a piece of coursework for “Imaginative Writing” and comprehension/analysis work on extracts from non-fiction texts. In Year 11, pupils study “Transactional Writing”, which includes writing persuasive letters or informative articles. A second piece of coursework (textual analysis) is undertaken in the first half term of Year 11. Good technical accuracy is vital and we encourage pupils to write in a concise and succinct manner. Teachers use a variety of texts and extracts to deliver the English Language specification.

Skills Required and Developed

Pupils will develop the ability to write accurately and effectively in a variety of styles, including persuasive, narrative, descriptive and analytical writing, as well as learning how to deconstruct a range of texts, both literary and non-fiction or media texts. Pupils will be introduced to a wealth of exciting and thought-provoking texts, which will require dedication, time and effort, but will deliver great rewards.

External Assessment

Pupils will undertake two pieces of Non Examined Assessment (“coursework”) for IGCSE English Language - one in the first term of Year 10 and one in the first term of Year 11.

In Year 10, pupils sit an internal exam for English Language (Transactional Writing) as well as a mock English Literature paper. In Year 11, pupils sit a full mock paper for English Language (Non-fiction and Transactional Writing) in January. The terminal external examination will take place in May/June of Year 11.

Pupils are also required to complete a speaking and listening assessment, which is graded separately (Pass, Merit or Distinction).

Beyond the Classroom

Pupils may attend appropriate theatre visits to enhance their study of drama texts and we usually run optional enrichment trips. The Library holds reading lists for every year group.

Further Information

Ms Laura Burden, Head of English Tel 023 9268 1374, Email l.burden@pgs.org.uk

Mrs Stephanie Burkinshaw, KS4 Coordinator for English, Email s.burkinshaw@pgs.org.uk

Exam Board Website: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses-and-edexcel-certificates/ internationalgcse-english-language-a-2016.html