English GCSE
Why study GCSE English?
Universities and many employers ask for a good pass in GCSE English and it is Luton Sixth Form College’s policy that every student entering the College will re-sit English Language GCSE if they don’t already have grade 4. GCSE English enables students to develop skills they need for reading, writing and speaking and listening. The main aim is for students to understand and analyse a wide range of different texts and to write clearly.
Entry Requirements
In addition to our general entry requirements, you must have:
- GCSE English – grade 3
The Course
The course will enable students to develop the skills they need to read, understand and analyse a wide range of different texts covering the 19th, 20th and 21st century time periods as well as to write clearly, coherently and accurately using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures. You will be required to complete three hours of independent self-study per week whilst on the course. Your teacher will give you guidance on the tasks you could do, but may include: working on literacy skills through BKSB, homework tasks, pre-reading a text in preparation for your next lesson, going back over your class notes, researching, and reading.
Course Activities
Students will focus on improving their reading, writing, motivational and organisational skills. They will learn through a variety of activities, including discussion, group, pair and individual work, note-taking, summarising, spelling and punctuation, analysing texts and writing for different purposes and audiences.
Course Structure and Assessment
Reading and writing is assessed in clear sections in the two examination papers. The reading sources act as a stimulus for writing tasks, providing students with a clear route through each paper.
The mark for Spoken Language (previously Speaking & Listening) will be carried over from your result at school as this is a separate endorsement and does not contribute to the final mark.
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing This looks at how writers use narrative and
descriptive techniques to engage the interest of readers.
Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives This looks at how different writers present a similar topic over time.
Additional Information
Examination Board: AQA