GCSE English

What is this course about?

GCSE English starts week commencing 10th September and includes the introduction to GCSE English course. All learners must complete the introduction session.

The course will provide you with the skills to enable you to achieve a good GCSE English grade by preparing you to write confidently and accurately, respond to different kinds of writing and take part in speaking and listening activities.

Entry Requirements

It is strongly recommended that students have completed and achieved Adult Literacy Levels 1 and 2 before embarking on GCSE English.

How is it taught?

In addition to regular attendance in class most students can expect to spend about 2hrs per week studying throughout the course. The teacher will give frequent direction on this.

How will I be assessed?

The course follows the requirements of OCR (awarding body). The coursework counts for 60% of the overall mark and is completed in class with the help and support of the teacher. In addition, there is one exam.

What else do I need to know?

This is a one year course using the OCR examination body. The qualification is often used to enable candidates to progress either directly to employment, or to proceed with further qualifications. The coursework element of the GCSE amounts to 60% of the qualification and involves writing, speaking and listening. Students will study World War 1 poetry by Wilfred Owen, and be assessed, under timed conditions, plus produce a piece of creative writing under timed conditions. Other assessments will include a written response to a speech (again under timed conditions), and a variety of speaking and listening tasks including a personal presentation. There will be one examination at the end of the course, worth 40% of the overall mark. This will consist of a task requiring students to show understanding of the meaning and effect of language, and to be able to evaluate how texts can be interpreted differently. There will also be an examination task requiring candidates to produce a piece of continuous writing on a topic linked to some reading material. Candidates will have to show that they can write accurately and fluently.

What could I do next?

GCSE English is the best preparation for studying the subject at A Level. It is frequently an entry requirement for a degree ccourse at University and is often necessary for employment.