Year 11 Raising Attainment Evening English Language and English Literature GCSES

iGCSE – International General Certificate of Secondary Education Why study iGCSE rather than traditional GCSE? Advantages: Fewer exams Coursework rather than Controlled Assessment Speaking and Listening still counts as part of the Assessment

English Language iGCSE Traditional GCSE: 60% Exam 40% Controlled Assessment

English Literature iGCSE Traditional GCSE: 75% Exam 25% Controlled Assessment

English Language The Exam: 2 hours Literary Non Fiction and Composition Section A: Reading - Candidates will be given a single text for close study. For Foundation tier candidates the text will be divided into short sections, although at least one question will relate to the whole text. Section B: Writing - There will be three tasks from which candidates choose one: Descriptive, Imaginative, Argumentative or Discursive

English Language What have they already done? Practised Reading and Writing skills in Assessment weeks throughout the year. Full mock exam in the Sports Hall in June 2014.

English Language What’s left to do? More exam practice – next mock exam coming up week beginning 20 th October. Coursework – written and speaking and listening.

Written Coursework – English Language Students will be set a written task and will carry out independent research relevant to the task. They should use at least five different sources for their research. These may be viewed online and may include: traditional research texts e.g. encyclopaedia, text book; literary texts e.g. novel, poem; non-fiction texts e.g. review, autobiography; media texts e.g. film, documentary; In all cases, clear details of research resources and processes (e.g. note taking/highlighting) must be retained Students will then write (and redraft) their assignment and an accompanying commentary. Their Speaking and Listening coursework will also be linked to this task.

English Literature The Exam – 1 hour 30 mins Unseen Poetry and Prose/Drama Section A: Candidates will answer on compulsory unseen poetry Section B: Candidates will answer a question on the drama text ‘Journey’s End’.

English Literature What have they already done? Studied ‘Journey’s End’ and sat practice Assessment. Studied Poetry – practised essay writing. Studied ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’ – nearly completed first draft of coursework!

What’s left to do? Revision of ‘Journey’s End’. Revision of Poetry analysis. Learning how to plan and answer an essay question in the time they have. Lots of practice timed essays in class and set for homework!

How pupils can revise Re-read the targets which I have written on your marked work. Re-read your work; think about how it could be improved, and spot the recurring errors. Swap notes and essays with your friends – if someone got a higher grade than you, read the work to find out why!

Talk to your teachers… Go back and improve work that you weren’t happy with. You could even ask for it to be remarked in light of your improvements. Use the ‘green pens’ provided in lessons to tell me which areas you want more help with by reflecting on your own work. Tell your teachers the areas you are least confident with – ask for extra support outside of class if necessary.

How can you help me support your child in their learning? Encourage your son/daughter to try their best when writing coursework. Make sure they redraft all work carefully – acting on the advice and feedback I have given – don’t be happy until its perfect! Check that they are completing all homework – independent learning is key this year. Test pupils on knowledge of the play ‘Journey’s End’ and ask them to tell you HOW to analyse a poem. Encourage pupils to read as many non-fiction texts as possible as well – e.g. magazines, newspapers, adverts, information guides, etc.