SPECIFICATIONS: English Language, English Literature
AQA  (8700/8702)

During Key Stage 4 all students are required to study GCSEs in both English Language and English Literature.

The GCSE programme in English aims to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word.  The curriculum will prepare them for the challenges of their GCSE examinations in both English Language and English Literature.

Assessment for the final GCSE in both English Language and English Literature consists of a total of four terminal examinations. Speaking and Listening no longer contributes to the final GCSE grade, however, a grade for this skill appears separately on the GCSE certificate.

Content

Reading:

• Non-fiction texts (e.g. articles, leaflets, web-based texts, autobiography, travel writing, magazine and newspaper articles)
• Shakespeare
• Text(s) from the English Literary Heritage
• Modern Drama
• Poetry

Writing:

• Writing for a range of audiences and purposes. Fiction and non-fiction.

Speaking & Listening:

• Speaking and Listening in a range of contexts
• Spoken Language assessment (GCSE) consisting of a speech and questions

Skills that are developed

Students are taught to:

• Demonstrate skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing necessary to communicate with others confidently, effectively, precisely and appropriately
• Express themselves creatively and imaginatively
• Select and adapt speech and writing to different situations and audiences
• Become critical readers of a range of texts
• Use reading to gain access to knowledge and to develop their own skills as writers
• Understand that texts from the English, Welsh and Irish Literary Heritage have been influential and significant over time and explore the meaning of these today
• Understand how literature from other cultures is influential
• Connect ideas, themes and issues, drawing on a range of texts

Assessment

English Language GCSE
The scheme of assessment is linear and concludes with two written examinations.

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing (Fiction)
1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks                50% of the GCSE
Section A: Unseen Literature from the 20th or 21st century. Candidates will answer four questions.
Section B: Creative writing (e.g. a description or narrative)

Paper 2: Writer’s Viewpoints and Perspectives (Non-Fiction)
1 hour 45 minutes 80 marks                50% of the GCSE
Section A: Unseen Literature from the 20th or 21st century. Candidates will answer four questions.
Section B: Creative writing (e.g. a broadsheet article or speech)

AND

English Literature GCSE
The scheme of assessment is linear and concludes with two written examinations.

Paper 1: Shakespeare and the 19th Century Novel
1 hour 45 minutes

Candidates will study the two texts within the course and answer a question on each in the examination. The exam is closed book and therefore students will not have access to the text during the examination.

Paper 2:  Modern Texts and Poetry
2 hours 15 minutes

Candidates will study a play text and 15 poems from a pre-released anthology. This examination is also closed book and therefore students will not have access to the text during the examination.

Web address for specification: www.aqa.org.uk

Enquiries to:

Mrs M Chambers – Learning Leader: English
m.chambers@brookfield.hants.sch.uk