GCSE English: Overview of Course

What do you expect to study over the next two years in English?

Overview of GCSE English

2 GCSE subjects:

(1.) GCSE English Language

(2.) GCSE English Literature

= a lot of work in few lessons!!

GCSE English Language

• Examinations – 2 papers worth 40% of total marks.

• TO BE TAKEN AT THE END OF YEAR 10

• Unit 1 - 20% 1 hour– READING: Non-Fiction Texts

• Unit 2 – 20% 1 hour– WRITING: Information and Ideas

GCSE English Language

• Controlled Assessment: 60% of total marks• 3 x Speaking and Listening Activities

– Drama-based– Individual Extended contribution– Group work

• Written coursework– Studying Spoken Language– Literary Reading (‘Of Mice and Men’)– Descriptive Writing– Narrative Writing

GCSE English Literature

• Examinations – 2 papers worth 75% of total marks.

• Unit 1 - 35% 2 hours– Section A: Different Cultures Prose (‘Of Mice

and Men’)– Section B: Contemporary Unseen Poetry TO BE TAKEN AT THE END OF YEAR 10

• Unit 2 – 40% 2 hours– Section A: Drama Text– Section B: Prose TextTO BE TAKEN IN YEAR 11

GCSE English Literature

• Controlled Assessment: 25% of total marks

• Written coursework:– Poetry (from WJEC Anthology) &

Shakespeare

So what does it all mean?

• In pairs, discuss each component of the course.

• Decide on examples of work which might be studied under each heading.

• For example, Shakespeare Controlled Assessment may well involve reading a Shakespeare play!

• You have 5 minutes to talk through – then be ready to feed back ideas.

What will you be studying soon?

• Autumn Term– Descriptive Writing Controlled Assessment– Speaking & Listening Individual Presentation– Study of Different Cultures Prose Text – ‘Of

Mice and Men’– Speaking & Listening Group Task

Your Queries

• Think about any questions you may have about the GCSE course, and write them on separate slips of paper.

• They will remain anonymous

• I will try to answer them next lesson.

• Ask anything!