GCSE English Language - Core
Why do we teach this course?
English Language is a core subject at BMAT STEM Academy that all students have to complete. In order to continue to A level in any subject, students will need to gain at least a level 4 in English language to show they can support study across the curriculum with written responses and reading skills that allow access to higher level courses. Students who gain below a level 4 in this subject will be asked to re-take the course if they want to access college courses in year 12 and 13.
English language allows students to gain accuracy in their written responses and teaches students inference skills when reading a wide variety of texts and text types. The aim of the course is to ensure students have the communication skills that allow them to compete in the world of work when they have finished studying and gives them the communication skills to develop higher level responses in the subjects they engage with in future learning experiences.
Why I should study English Language
English language will teach you how to use a range of punctuation in writing and the tone used for a wide variety of text types when constructing responses. It involves understanding how texts are constructed and how writers use language to create specific effects on the readers of their work. The creative element in the course is also important as the course will teach you how to structure both creative and informative writing to a high standard, with a focus on how to create effective texts through vocabulary choice and both linguistic and structural devices.
The course also has a spoken language element that is assessed separately to the written part of the course which involves students speaking in front of an audience of their peers on a topic of their choice. This skill is essential in developing confidence for public speaking and for situations such as job interviews and future college presentations.
What does the course involve?
We use the AQA Exam Board. The course contains two exam papers:
Language Paper 1 (marked out of 80): Explorations in Creative Reading and Writing
Language Paper 2 (Marked out of 80): Writer’s Viewpoints and Perspectives
Spoken Language (Pass, merit or Distinction): 5-minute presentation on a topic of your choice
The exams are marked separately out of 80, the scores are then added together to give a final mark out of 160, the average pass mark has, in the last 5 years, been between 72 and 76 for a level 4.
Future Prospects
All jobs consider English Language a highly desirable qualification. A pass at a level 4 or above is the expected minimum for Level 3 education and for apprenticeships.
If you do not pass English Language in Year 11, you will be required to retake this by your Sixth Form or College until you achieve a Level 4 or above.
Next Steps
A Level / AS Level English Language or Literature, as well as access to any course you want to study at KS5.
BMAT STEM Academy offers English Literature A-Level
Study Links:
GCSE English Language - BBC Bitesize
Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2 (senecalearning.com)