Language and Literature
In each of Years 7, 8 and 9 students follow a structured course in English that enables them to consolidate core skills and analyse a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Students are assessed each term for writing and reading as well as for speaking and listening.
The majority of students in Year 7 to 9 will cover most of following:
Writing
- about the texts they have read
- accounts of personal experiences
- imaginative stories
- poetry
- letters
- play scripts
- expressing opinions
- conveying information e.g. guides or directions
- for different audiences e.g. designing adverts
Students practise the skills of writing in draft, then correct and edit this first version to produce a redraft. They are taught the importance of presentation and the need for accurate spelling and punctuation. Understanding of grammar is equally important.
Reading
- books of their own choice (and completing the different stages of the Reading Record scheme)
- shared class novels
- poetry
- play scripts (including Shakespeare)
- non-fiction
- media text
Students regularly read silently, read aloud and begin to develop their own preferences. One lesson per fortnight, classes visit the library. They learn to ask questions of a text and go beyond the literal meaning. They also learn the skills of scanning for information and selecting appropriate information for particular tasks; using reference tools such as dictionaries, thesauri and online tools like Inanimate Alice.
Set in a technology saturated near future, Inanimate Alice tells the story of a girl called Alice, merging text with animation, videos, music and games to explore what it means to conduct your life online. It is studied by year 7 students.
Speaking and Listening
Students speak and listen in various situations:
- to the whole class
- in smaller groups
- in pairs
Students learn to have confidence in speaking in front of their peers and learn to cooperate in groups or in pairs. They are taught the importance of listening and how that can facilitate productive discussion. Students talk about their reading and writing, as all the areas of English interact with each other, and students are also involved in debates.
IGCSE
English (IGCSE Syllabus No. 0500) and English Literature (IGCSE Syllabus No. 0475)
In English, students are encouraged to develop a keen interest in all kinds of reading, both fiction and non-fiction, helping them to develop their aesthetic and imaginative lives, and also their ability to think independently. Students become more confident in expressing their ideas and opinions convincingly in both written and spoken forms.
All students in Years 10 and 11 follow two IGCSE courses which leads to IGCSE English for all students and IGCSE English Literature for most. During the course, students continue to develop core skills in English and meet increasingly challenging texts and tasks.
The assessment of each IGCSE is by both coursework and examination:
- In IGCSE English, the examination will require a response to non-fiction and media texts. Students will need to be able to demonstrate their ability to write for a range of purposes. This represents 50% of the IGCSE.
- 50% of IGCSE English will be assessed by written coursework. Students will write expressively and analytically. They will also produce a piece of writing in response to texts containing facts and opinions.
- In IGCSE Literature, the examination will require students to demonstrate their ability to respond critically to the set texts they have studied during the course. These will include poetry, prose and drama.
- The IGCSE English Literature course is assessed through examination. Students are assessed on their knowledge of the texts studied throughout the course and on their understanding of unseen texts.
The table below provides a brief overview of the IGCSE course for examination:
| IGCSE First Language English 0500 | IGCSE English Literature 0475 |
|---|---|
| Paper 2: Written Examination 50% - 2 hours | Paper 1 (50%): Poetry and Prose - 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Coursework Portfolio 50% | Paper 3 (25%): Drama (Open text) - 45 minutes |
| Paper 4 (25%): Unseen Poetry/Prose - 1 hour 15 minutes |
IB
English Literature HL
Literature students at Higher Level study a minimum of thirteen texts that are assessed internally through one oral assignment (20%) and externally through one written essay (20%) and a final examination comprising 2 papers: Paper 1 - 2 hours 15 (35%) and Paper 2- 1 hour 45 (25%).
English Literature SL
Standard Level students study a minimum of nine texts and the assessment is through one oral (30%), and a final examination of two papers of 1 hour 15, and 1 hour 45, each worth 35%.
Language and Literature HL
Language and Literature Higher Level students take two papers in the end of year examinations. Paper 1: guided textual analysis – 2 hours 15 minutes (35%). Paper 2: comparative essay – 1 hour 45 minutes (25%). The Individual Oral component is a 15 minute oral examination (20%) and finally, students submit the Higher Level essay (20%).
Language and Literature SL
Language and Literature Standard Level students take two papers in the end of year examinations. Paper 1: guided textual analysis – 1 hour 15 minutes (35%). Paper 2: comparative essay – 1 hour 45 minutes (35%). The Individual Oral component is a 15 minute oral examination (30%).