GCSE English

Course Description
This stimulating Level 2 course develops your speaking and listening, reading and writing skills. It is suitable for adults who have never taken GCSE before as well as school leavers who wish to retake because they have previously achieved a Grade D.
The syllabus followed is AQA Specification A.
Term 1: You will develop your confidence and skills in speaking and listening, participating in class activities and preparing for a formal presentation. You will explore and stretch your personal writing and reading skills. As well as making your spelling, punctuation and paragraphing secure, there will be a focus on developing ideas in writing, exploring your creative and autobiographical skills and structuring and completing an essay. You will be introduced to the skill of analysing literature by famous writers.
Term 2: The focus is on Media texts and Shakespeare (because of the nature of the course, you will only be studying an extract of a play in depth).
Term 3: This is taken up with preparation for the exams which include some poetry texts. There is plenty of time to become familiar with the poems before the exams and also opportunities to take practice exams and learn from the results.
Every learner on the course is entitled to 2 half hour individual tutorials per term with their tutor.


What background and qualifications do you need to join?
You can only join this course by coming to see a tutor at an Advice and Guidance session. You will be required to complete an assessment test to make sure that your reading and writing skills are right for a successful year's study at this level. If the assessment results show that you are not quite ready for this level of study, you will be advised about courses at Entry 3 and Level 1 which would help you to build your basic skills in order to try again in the future.
Please see the website for dates, times and locations for Advice and Guidance. Enrolment for GCSE courses takes place in September / October only.

What does the course lead to?
A recognised qualification at Level 2 in GCSE English Language which is needed for access to employment and further / higher study.
Most learners are entered for the Higher Tier (Grades D-A*). There is also the opportunity to enter for the Foundation Tier (Grades G-C) although it may be advisable to take Basic Skills or ESOL classes to develop your skills further instead.

What are the facilities and equipment like?
All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and classroom computers, providing opportunities for e-learning.

How much should I study outside class?
The course demands a commitment in terms of homework as well as attendance at 2 sessions each week.

How is the course assessed?
This GCSE is assessed through 2 elements:

• Course work (40%)
• Examination: Paper 1 (30%), Paper 2 (30%)

Your folder should contain four written responses and three speaking and listening assessments.

• Written responses (20% of total mark):

1. Original writing
2. Prose studies (complete short stories)
3. Media
4. Shakespeare

• Speaking and listening (20% of total marks)

1. explaining, describing, narrating
2. exploring, analysing, imagining
3. discussing, arguing, persuading

Examination:
Paper One:

• Section A - reading and understanding (comprehension-style questions - 1 hour)
• Section B - writing to argue, persuade or advise (45 mins)

Paper Two:

• Section A - Poetry - 'Different Cultures' (45 mins). An essay question on either Cluster 1 or Cluster 2 of the Anthology poetry section 'Different Cultures'.
• Section B - writing to describe, explain or inform (45 mins)

Are any course materials online?
Some materials will be available on the college moodle site.

What books and equipment do I need?
All texts will be provided by the tutor.

What else do I need to buy? / What extra costs are there?
You should bring a folder, paper and a pen to the class and your tutor will advise you if anything further is required.
There will be no additional costs attached to this course.
Requirements
All students are admitted to the College on the basis that they:

• Agree to comply with the KCC student code of conduct
• Provide original documentation that confirms entry qualifications.
• Meet the course entry requirements
• Provide information so that a school or college reference can be obtained if you are between 16-19 years old