AQA GCSE English Language and English Literature

Course Overview

Autumn 1: English Literature Paper 2 Section A: Modern Texts – Students will read the play Blood Brothers by Willy Russell. They will explore the context of the play and examine how Willy Russell uses language, form and structure to present the characters and themes in the play. During assessment week, they will be required to explore the presentation of either a theme or a character.

Autumn 2: English Language Paper 1 Section A: Explorations in Creative Reading – Students will practise the skills needed to answer exam style questions. They will read a range of literary extracts and hone their ability to select relevant information and comment on the writer’s use of language and structure while using the text to support their opinions. They will critically evaluate the writing, examining the way writers create certain meanings.

Spring 1: English Literature Paper 2 Section B: Power and Conflict Poetry cluster (revision) and Unseen Poetry – Students will revise the fifteen poems studied in Year 9 and make thematic links in preparation for the exam. They will practise comparing the poems through language, form and structure. Students will use the skills they have developed while studying the anthology to respond to a range of unseen poems.

Spring 2: English Literature Paper 1 Section B: The 19th Century Novel – Students will read the novella A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. As well as exploring the context of the Victorian period and how this influences our understanding of the text, they will examine how Dickens uses language and structure to present the characters and themes in the novella. During assessment week, students will be given a short extract that they must use to closely analyse, whilst making links to the rest of the novella.

Summer 1: English Language Paper 1 Section B: Creative Writing – Students will practise story writing and descriptive writing. They will develop their use of ambitious language and language techniques as well as how to structure their writing. They will work on the technical accuracy of their writing including their use of sentences, punctuation and spelling.

Summer 2: English Language Paper 2 Section A and Speaking and Listening – Students will prepare an individual talk on a subject of their choosing. They will need to use standard English and a range of language features to engage an audience as well as responding to a series of questions in detail.

Assessments will take place at the end of each unit, with pre-public exams in June.

Useful Links

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-literature-8702  - English Literature exam board specification

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-language-8700  - English Language exam board specification

www.bitesize.co.uk BBC Bitesize has an excellent range of materials to support the preparation for both English Language and English Literature GCSEs. CGP revision guides are also an effective way to supplement the learning in school.