Faculty of English

English and English Literature

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Guide to GCSE English and English Literature (AQA)

Students follow an integrated course in English and English Literature, leading towards two separate qualifications. The course follows naturally from the Year 9 syllabus and is designed to extend and improve your skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing.

You will study a range of literature including Shakespeare, novels and poetry from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and a modern play. Wherever possible groups will be taken to the theatre to see productions of their set texts. (Costs vary). It may be that some of the material chosen for study will contain colloquial language and will deal with controversial issues. Parents are invited to read the set texts and to discuss them with the staff if they have any concerns.

You will continue to improve your style of writing and develop your awareness of audience and purpose. You will read and respond to a range of media and other non-literary material. Finally, you will take part in a wide range of oral work, including class and group discussion, debate, drama and individual and paired presentations.

Both subjects include coursework and there are currently three written examination papers at the end of the course.

The range of material studied provides an excellent grounding for those of you who may wish to study either English or English Literature at Advanced Level.

A redesigned syllabus will be in place for September 2002.

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