1. Supporting GCSE English: Language & Literature
WJEC - Eduqas

2. What do students have to do?
Two GCSEs, English Language and English Literature
GCSE Language: Two examinations – Component 1 = 40% and Component 2 = 60%
GCSE Literature: Two examinations – Component 1 = 40% and Component 2 = 60%
Literature Component 1 = 22nd May 2018
Literature Component 2 = 25th May 2018
Language Component 1 = 5th June 2018
Language Component 2 = 8th June 2018

3. Overview GCSE Language
Component 1: 20th Century Literature Reading and Creative Prose Writing. (1 hour 45 minutes)
Section A – reading a work of fiction
One extract from the 20th century assessed through a range of structured questions (20%)
Section B – one creative writing task selected from a choice of four titles (20%)
Component 2: 19th and 21st Century Non-Fiction Reading and Transactional /Persuasive Writing. Section A – Understanding of two extracts of non-fiction writing, one from the 19th century, the other from the 21st century, assessed through a range of structured questions (30%)
Section B – Two compulsory transactional/persuasive writing tasks (30%).
(2 hours)

4. What are we doing to help them?
Year 11 mock exams marked and key targets set and discussed with students
Students should be having regular conversations with their class teachers and be aware of what they need to work on to improve
Homework is set and marked regularly
In-class revision begins from January until examinations begin
Revision classes will begin on WEDNESDAY nights from February.

5. What can they do to practise?
Regular revision for each component each week
Regular practice of typical examination style questions. Teachers will mark anything that is handed in and give feedback
Read regularly: novels, short stories, newspapers, internet articles
Keep re-reading notes from English lessons and re-do practices done in lessons or for homework taking into account targets set in self/peer or teacher assessment.
Attend revision classes organised by the school.

6. How can you help? Boost general knowledge!
Broadsheet newspapers and online reportage.
Read articles with your daughter.
Encourage discussion.
Ask your daughter what she is doing, ask to see her English book, help her manage her time by setting timed practices for each question.

7. Thinking and planning are key to your success!
Component 2 – Transactional Writing
Before you start writing - F.A.R.T!
Read the question and work out the following:
F: form of writing
A: audience; who are you writing to? This will determine the language you use
R: reason for writing…argue, persuade, advise…suggest, comment, explain
T: topic; what is it you have to write about?
Before you start writing you must be clear about all of the above!
Once you are clear, you spend 5 minutes planning and then you start writing.

8. Overview GCSE Literature
Component 1: Shakespeare and Poetry
Section A Romeo and Juliet (20%)
Section B Poetry 1789 to the present day (20%)
2 hours
Component 2: Component 2: Post-1914 Prose/Drama, 19th Century Prose and Unseen Poetry
Section A (20%) Post 1914 Prose/Drama – An Inspector Calls
Section B (20%) 19th Century Prose – Jane Eyre
Section C (20%) Unseen Poetry
2 hours 30 minutes

9. What are we doing to help them?
Year 11 mock exams marked and key targets set and discussed with students
Students should be having regular conversations with their class teachers and be aware of what they need to work on to improve
Homework is set and marked regularly
In-class revision begins from January until examinations begin
We have divided the year into 2 and 3 week blocks focusing on exam technique
Revision packs will be produced for Half term and Easter Hols to guide revision activities
Revision classes will begin on WEDNESDAY nights from February.

10. What can they do to practise?
Regular revision for each component each week
Regular practice of typical examination style questions. Teachers will mark anything that is handed in and give feedback
Re-read key texts: An Inspector Calls, Jane Eyre, Romeo and Juliet and Poetry Anthology
Keep re-reading notes from English lessons and re-do practices done in lessons or for homework taking into account targets set in self/peer or teacher assessment.
Create cue cards for each poem in the anthology.
Attend revision classes organised by the school.

11. How can you help?
Purchase Revision Guides for set texts. Purchase Work books (available from Student Services at reduced cost)
Ask your daughter what she is doing, ask to see her English book, help her manage her time by setting timed practices for each question.
Quiz your daughter using their notes or revision cards.
Ask your daughter to show you her quote banks and poetry revision grids and use these to quiz them (particularly on the Poetry Anthology)

12. Revision activities – text based
Draw a detailed timeline of events (with quotations).
Mind Map a key theme (with characters/ events/ quotations).

13. Revision activities – text based
Timeline of character development.
Using a revision guide complete sample extract and essay questions in timed conditions.
Complete activities in workbooks.

14. Revision activities – skills based
Timed practices:
Unseen source based questions: An Inspector Calls, Jane Eyre and Romeo and Juliet
Poetry questions (response to named poem and comparison)
Unseen poetry comparison question.

15. And finally …
Students need to understand that the GCSEs are challenging.
We will be doing everything possible to support your daughters, but students need to:
Revise consistently from now until the examinations
Ask for help
Stay positive and committed to their success!