English (Language)

English Language 

Head of English:  Mrs E. Stumpf

Qualification Level and Examination Board Level 1 and 2 AQA GCSE English Language (8700) 

How is the course assessed?

Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing

50% of GCSE grade

• Section A: Reading - one literature fiction text

• Section B: Writing - descriptive or narrative writing

Paper 2: Writers' Viewpoints and Perspectives

50% of GCSE grade

• Section A: Reading - one non-fiction text & one literary non-fiction text

• Section B: Writing - writing to present a viewpoint

What is the content of the course?

• Reading a large variety of texts.

• Demonstrating understanding of ideas, facts and opinions.

• Understanding how writers achieve effects.

• Recognising and responding to sophisticated linguistic devices.

• Writing using accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.

• Effectively expressing what is thought, felt and imagined for a variety of purposes and audiences.

• How to summarise, paraphrase and re-express.

• Extracting specific information

• Communicating effectively and imaginatively

What could I study Post-16?

English Language is an essential part of any Post 16 option whether academic or vocational in nature. 

What possible careers could I have?

English Language or adult literacy is a key element of any career. Communication and the ability to infer, interpret or ‘read-between-the-lines’ are essential to most roles. More specifically, it opens doors into journalism and media. The written word is everywhere you look, and when it’s not written, texts are created on screen. Any role involving writing or communicating orally that you can think of needs someone with a sound understanding of how language works to be undertaken well. 

Additional information

One tier of entry is offered, graded 1-9.