English Language and English Literature

What does the course cover?

How is the course examined??

English Language:

What does the course cover?

There are two examinations for the English Language course, both of which are 1 hour 45 minutes long and are taken at the end of Year 11.

Over the two year English GCSE course you will develop an appreciation of a range of literature. You will be asked to respond to a wealth of non-fiction and fiction texts, exploring literature from across the literary canon. You will study a Shakespeare play, a modern text, a 19th Century novel and a selection of poetry across time.

Over the two year English GCSE course, you will develop an appreciation of a range of literature. You will be asked to respond to a wealth of non-fiction and fiction texts, exploring literature from across the literary canon. You will study a Shakespeare play, a modern text, a 19th Century novel and a selection of poetry across time.

Over the course, you will become opinionated, confident and articulate young women, who have an understanding of the wider historical and social context that influenced the authors. You will develop your vocabulary and understanding of the complex themes and issues which the texts discuss, such as: power, ambition, wealth, the place of women in society, social class, loss, to name but a few!

One focuses on fiction texts: 'Explorations in Creating Reading and Writing'; the other, on non-fiction texts: 'Writers' View-points and Perspectives'. Here, you will respond to unseen texts and the examinations are an assessment of your English reading and writing skills. In addition, there is an accredited spoken language task.

Over the course, you will become opinionated, confident, and articulate young women, who have an understanding of the wider historical and social context that influenced the authors. You will develop your vocabulary and understanding of the complex themes and issues which the texts discuss, such as: power, ambition, wealth, the place of women in society, social class, loss, to name but a few!

You will refine your analytical reading skills and learn how to write creatively and effectively. As such, you will learn to analyse a variety of literary techniques to evaluate the author’s craft and you will also learn to adapt these techniques in your own writing.

You will refine your analytical reading skills and learn how to write creatively and effectively. As such, you will learn to analyse a variety of literary techniques to evaluate the author’s craft and you will also learn to adapt these techniques in your own writing.

English Literature:

There are two examinations for the English Literature course: one entitled ‘Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel’ (1 hour 45 minutes) worth 40%; and one entitled ‘Modern Texts and poetry (2 hours 15 minutes) worth 60%. The texts you will study will depend on your teacher but they may include the .

There are two examinations for the English Literature course: one entitled 'Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel' (1 hour 45 minutes) worth 40% ; and one entitled 'Modern Texts and Poetry' (2 hours 15 minutes) worth 60%. The texts you will study depend on your teacher but they may include the following:

Macbeth by William Shakespeare; The History Boys by Alan Bennett; Blood Brothers by Willy Russell; Lord of the Flies by William Golding; Great Expectations by Charles Dickens; Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte; Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.