English IGCSE

English Language

All students begin their IGCSE course by studying for two subjects, English Language and English Literature.

IGCSE English Language involves reading, writing and discussion. By the end of the course, our pupils should be able to:

• communicate accurately and effectively in writing;
• understand and respond appropriately to what they hear, read and experience;
• enjoy and appreciate the many ways in which language can be used;
• develop analytical and inferential skills;
• understand themselves and others.

Reading & Writing
Students read, analyse and write a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Students also prepare coursework and spoken activities such as debates, speeches, descriptive and informative writing.

This work helps students demonstrate their ability to:

• present facts, ideas and opinions orally and in writing;
• evaluate and judge the effectiveness and purpose of what they read across genres and media;
• select and deploy relevant information, facts and ideas;
• recognise implicit meanings and attitudes;
• develop a sense of audience in both formal and informal situations;
• demonstrate control of grammar, paragraphing, sentence structure, punctuation and spelling;
• extend and expand a wide repertoire of style and register in their own writing.

English Literature

We strongly encourage our students to sit the English Literature examination. In practical terms, it is a valuable step in preparing for the IB Group 1 courses, and it also exposes students to classic texts written in English, from Shakespeare to 19th century novelists and poets such as Austen, Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson and Dickens.

The English Literature course covers Poetry and Prose from the 18th century through to the 21st century, Drama and an Unseen examination paper. There is no coursework.

Exam candidates need to show:

• detailed knowledge and understanding of the set texts;
• sensitivity to the importance of cultural, political and social context on writers;
• recognition of the ways in which writers use language, structure and form;
• a sensitive and informed personal response to a range of texts.

Students develop both close, analytical reading and wider reading across a range of books, plays and poems.

We do review the progress of students during the Middle Fifth year and some ESOL and those students struggling with Language skills may drop Literature to focus on the essential English Language qualification.