English Language
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The AQA English Language GCSE is designed to transform students into critical readers and compelling communicators - skills that are indispensable in every professional field, from law and marketing to management. Throughout the course, students engage with a rich variety of 19th, 20th, and 21st-century texts, learning to navigate both the evocative world of fiction and the persuasive power of non-fiction.
The curriculum moves beyond simple reading, challenging students to master a sophisticated toolkit of analysis, evaluation, and comparison. Students learn to "read between the lines" to unpick a writer’s craft, while simultaneously honing their own voices through creative and transactional writing.
A key component of the course is the Spoken Language endorsement, a non-exam assessment where students deliver a formal presentation and respond to questions from an audience. While this is graded separately and does not impact the final 9-1 GCSE mark, it provides a vital platform for students to build the confidence and public speaking skills required for success in interviews and the modern workplace.
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/english/gcse/english-8700/specification/subject-content
The AQA English Language GCSE equips students with essential skills in reading, writing, analysis, and communication, all of which are highly valued in the workplace. Strong literacy and critical thinking skills open pathways into careers such as journalism, marketing, law, education, publishing, public relations, and creative writing, as well as roles in business, administration, and policy development. Beyond these, the ability to convey ideas clearly and evaluate information critically is an asset in almost any profession, making English Language a versatile foundation for further study, vocational courses, and a wide range of career opportunities.
AQA
Paper 1: Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
1 hour 45 minutes | 50% of GCSE
This paper focuses on the world of storytelling. Students dive into an unseen fiction extract (usually from the 20th or 21st century) to analyse how writers build tension, develop characters, and use language to hook an audience.
Reading: Analysing a narrative extract.
Writing: Crafting an original piece of creative fiction or descriptive writing based on a visual prompt.
Paper 2: Writers’ Viewpoints and Perspectives
1 hour 45 minutes | 50% of GCSE
This paper focuses on the real world and the power of opinion. Students compare two non-fiction texts - one modern and one from the 19th century (such as a diary entry, speech, or newspaper report) - to see how perspectives on the same topic have changed over time.
Reading: Comparing two non-fiction sources for bias and viewpoint.
Writing: Producing a piece of transactional writing (like a letter, article, or speech) to argue a specific point of view.
Non-Exam Assessment: Spoken Language
Teacher Assessed | Endorsed Separately
Confidence in public speaking is a major asset for any career. Students prepare and deliver a formal presentation on a topic of their choice, followed by a Q&A session. While this doesn't impact the final 9-1 grade, it appears on the final certificate as a Pass, Merit, or Distinction, proving to future employers that the student is a capable communicator.
Lift Rawlett,
Comberford Road,
Tamworth, Staffordshire
B79 9AA
For any issues regarding student attendance please contact the attendance office by phoning 01827 54085, or 57178, and select option 1.
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