BSB GCSE English Language & English Literature


Exam Board: EDEXCEL
 
At this school, English Language and Literature GCSEs are taught together and, in line with practice at most independent schools, both are compulsory.
 
English Language involves the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through the study of fictional and non-fictional prose texts, poetry, drama and media texts from this century and from the past.
 
Assessment:  English Language
 
  • 20%  Speaking and Listening.  Three activities are assessed over two years: these cover drama-based or role play tasks, discussions and individual presentations. 
  • 20%  Written Coursework.  Three assignments must be completed by the end of the course:
    • Study of Shakespeare, (also assessed for English Lit.)
    • Writing from Different Cultures or Media Studies
    • Personal or Imaginative Writing 
  • 60% Terminal Examination.  Two papers will be sat at the end of the course.  These will assess study of extracts from a pre-prepared Anthology of Prose and Poetry and response to unprepared media texts.
 
The English Literature Course allows pupils to respond to a wide range of distinctive texts, critically, sensitively and in detail using textual evidence where appropriate.
 
In addition, pupils will explore how language, structure and form affect interpretation and texts will be related to their social, cultural and historical contexts as well as to literary tradition.
 
Where possible and appropriate, the use of different media such as film, taped performances and live theatre, within and beyond the school, will be used to make the texts live.
 
Assessment: English Literature
 
  • 30% Written Coursework (Three units) 
    • Pre-1914 Drama:  William Shakespeare (also assessed for English Language)
    • Pre-1914 Prose
    • Pre-1914 Poetry
  • 70% Terminal Examination (based on study of three texts) 
    • Section A:  Post 1914 Poetry Anthology (published by Edexcel Examinations Board)
    • Section B:  Post 1914 Prose
    • Section C:  Post 1914 Drama