The focus of the GCSE English Language course is to develop the skills of analysing, evaluating and comparing the use of language and structure across a range of English texts in order to deepen your understanding of how language is used to inform, persuade, entertain and provoke reflection. If you are considering taking this course in September, you are recommended to get reading now! Novels, newspaper articles, blogs…all genres will be valuable. There will be two examinations at the end of the year-long course. You must be able to attend both of these dates (which will be given to you at the start of the course, so employers etc can be notified and the time booked off work etc). The first examination will ask you to demonstrate your ability to analyse and evaluate a previously unseen 19th century text. You will also have to write a piece of imaginative writing. The second examination will ask you to demonstrate all the above skills when reading two previously unseen texts, and then to write a piece of transactional writing. Your spelling, grammar and punctuation will be assessed, but please be aware this course is not an ESOL course.

This level 1 course is designed to help you improve your practical English skills. You will be able to apply the skills learnt in everyday life, both at home and in the workplace.