English Language & Literature

All students study both English Literature and English Language, subjects through which we strive to nurture a love of reading, writing and debate. In Year 7, we seek to develop our students as private readers, which helps to broaden their vocabulary and improve technical accuracy. Whilst students have the opportunity to study novels and poetry, there is also plenty of scope for creativity.

Course materials

We study novels, poetry, and non-fictional writing; these texts are provided on a loan basis by the department. Students need to bring along a personal reading book, as we usually begin with 5-10 minutes of silent reading. This can, of course, be a library book. They also need to bring a pocket thesaurus/dictionary.

Poetry Unit 1

Write a collection of poems
Develop understanding of figurative language
Explore how sound and rhythm create mood and tone
Focus on the theme of Identity
Develop an understanding of how poetry should be read
Present one of their poems to the class

Explorations in Creative Writing and Reading

Develop an understanding of the linguistic techniques used in writing to describe
Improve punctuation, spelling and grammar
Expand vocabulary

Non-Fiction Reading and Writing

Study a selection of reviews
Focus on the key linguistic techniques used in review writing
Write a review

Poetry Unit 2

Study a selection of contemporary poems from different cultures and traditions
Explore how poets use language, structure and form to influence the reader
Develop an understanding of how the identity of a poet influences their writing

Scarlet Ibis

Explore key themes, such as family, friendship, courage, fairness and mental health
Focus on close textual analysis, commenting on the writer’s choice of language
Begin to develop a more academic writing style.
Be encouraged to make inferences

The Chocolate Project

Create their own unique chocolate bar/product
Plan a marketing campaign including packaging, advertisements, pressrelease.
Make a formal final presentation of the process using a range of persuasive techniques and language.

How will I be assessed?

You will write three poems, making use of figurative language effectively.

You will present a poem to the class, with a particular focus on phonology (the sounds of words)

You will write an analytical essay about a poem we have studied in class, explaining how the poet influences the audience.

You will write a descriptive narrative based on a picture prompt.

You will write an essay about characterisation in the novel ‘Scarlet Ibis.’

You will take an exam entitled ‘Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing’ consisting of a reading and writing section, equally weighted.

If you have any queries about this curriculum, please contact: Mrs Sarah Scanlon, Head of English, on ss@farlingtonschool.com