SUBJECT AIM
In IGCSE English language we aim to develop students’ communication skills across the disciplines of reading, writing and spoken language. Through the topics and tasks completed over the two-year course, students are also exposed to a range of perspectives, viewpoints and text types which support them in building their empathy and imagination skills. By the end of their two years of study students’ English skills and critical skills are well prepared to support them as they progress into post-16 education and beyond.
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
Over the two years of the course, students study in preparation for an examination paper and for two pieces of coursework. The exam paper requires students to read an anthology of contemporary non-fiction texts which comprises of a range of text types presenting opinions, experiences and locations from across the world. Students learn how to analyse the construction of these texts and write in a similar style. For coursework, students refine their creative writing skills as well as explore the way in which language creates impact in a collection of poetry.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED
Students complete two pieces of coursework in Year 10, each piece is worth 20% of their final grade. In order to best prepare for their coursework student may submit one draft to their teacher and receive feedback before completing and submitting a final draft. The creative writing coursework should be 800-1000 words and the poetry coursework should be 1100 – 1400 words. As this is a linear GCSE course, students will also sit an examination paper at the end of Year 11. This paper is worth 60% of their final grade. Within the paper half of the marks are awarded for their successful analysis of the anthology texts; the other half of the marks are awarded for the ability to complete an extended transactional writing task.
WHAT THIS SUBJECT CAN LEAD TO
- Journalism, translation, digital copywriting, teaching, linguistics, proof-reader, editorial writer
| Unit / Block of work | Key Episodes / Questions | Additional Detail | Length of time. | Learner Attribute(s) |
| Descriptive and Narrative Writing | How do writers use language and structure to engage their audience in a creative and imaginative way? | Aspects of descriptive and narrative writing: Sensory language, figurative language, pathetic fallacy, use of sentence structure and punctuation. Effective whole-text structural features to engage a reader. Examples from a wide range of fictional creative writing. Assessment: English Language Paper 1 Section B | 6 weeks | Risk-taker Communicator |
| Literary Non-Fiction | How do writers effectively use a range of methods to communicate their perspectives of different experiences? | Analysis and exploration of a range of literary non-fiction text types such as autobiographies, travel writing, letters. Understanding the use of descriptive techniques used in literary non-fiction texts. Assessment: English Language Paper 1 Section A | 6 weeks | Caring Thinker |
| Writing for Purpose and Audience | How do we change our choices as writers to meet different purposes and needs? | Exploring different non-fiction text types. Conventions of non-fiction writing. Practice writing for different puposes and audiences. Assessment: English Language Paper 2 Section B | 5 weeks | Balanced Communicator |
| Source-Based Reading | How do writers effectively convey different beliefs and ideas about modern global issues? | Exploration and analysis of how modern global issues are presented in different forms, in both fiction and non-fiction texts. Development of comparison skills and how writers present their ideas in similar or different ways. Assessment: English Language Paper 2 Section A | 5 weeks | Principled Open-minded |
| Exam Preparation | How do writers communicate their ideas in complex and sophisticated ways? | Revision of descriptive, narrative and discursive writing. Revision of different text types with a focus on literary non-fiction. Practice examination questions. Assessment: English Language Paper 1 and Paper 2 iGCSE examinations | 10 weeks | Reflective Knowledgeable |
| People and Places Poetry | How are we connected to the world around us and how do poets convey the significance of different places in our lives? | Reading and understanding of Literature poetry anthology Poetic devices revision Analysis and annotation of poems Comparison skills Practice examination questions Assessment: English Literature Paper 2 Section A | 5 weeks | Inquirer Thinker |
| Unit / Block of work | Key Episodes / Questions | Additional Detail | Length of time. | Learner Attribute(s) |
| Of Mice and Men | How have different groups in society been marginalised throughout history? | Knowledge of the context of 1930s USA. Reading and understanding of the text. Analysis of key themes, methods and characters. Practice examination questions. Assessment: English Literature coursework | 7 weeks | Inquirer Thinker |
| To Kill A Mockingbird | To what extent are contextual factors essential to our understanding of a text and the writer’s choices? | Knowledge of the context of 1930s USA. Reading and understanding of the text. Analysis of key themes, methods and characters. Practice examination questions. Assessment: English Literature Paper 1 Section A | 10 weeks | Caring Open Minded |
| An Inspector Calls | To what extent do writer’s use their positions of power to influence change in society? | Knowledge of context of 1910s Britain Reading and studying of key moments in the text Analysis of characters Dramatic devices Assessment: English Literature Paper 1 Section B | 9 weeks | Principled Thinker |
| Poetry Anthology and Unseen Poetry | Has the passage of time changed the way poets express their ideas? | Reading and understanding of Literature poetry anthology Analysis and annotation of poems Comparison skills Practice examination questions Assessment: English Literature Paper 2 Section A and B | 4 weeks | Balanced Thinker Inquirer |
| Exam Preparation | How do writers communicate their ideas in complex and sophisticated ways? | Revision of poetry anthology Revision of To Kill a Mockingbird Revision of An Inspector Calls Exploration of unseen poetry Practice examination questions Assessment: English Literature iGCSE examinations | 3 weeks | Reflective Knowledgeable |