What does the course consist of and how will I be assessed?
Coursework 40%
Speaking and listening coursework 20%
Assessment will include talk to:
- Explain, describe, narrate
- Explore, analyse, imagine
- Discuss, argue, persuade
In a variety of formal and informal contexts
The final assessment will cover the following three contexts:
- Group discussion and interaction
This may include work in a paired situation. The talk here will probably
be of a more informal nature. - Extended individual contribution
This could be a talk given to a group or a sustained contribution to a group activity, for example, a formal debate or a discussion. It is likely that the talk here will be a more formal nature. - Drama focused activities
This could include improvisations, role plays, hot seating or other work in role.
NB An increasing repertoire is expected for the award of higher marks (for example, chairing a group discussion, making a presentation to the class as a whole).
Written coursework 20%
- Reading. Play by Shakespeare
The whole play must be studied although the assignment may focus on specific aspects. - Reading. Poetry from other cultures and traditions
Around 1,000 lines. Candidates will be given the opportunity to discuss the distinctiveness of the culture from which the text comes. - Writing
Either to explore, imagine, entertain or to inform, explain, describe (for example, personal/reflective/descriptive writing; a narrative; a drama script). - Writing
Either to argue, persuade, advise or to analyse, review, comment (for example, discursive writing; an article; a report; a leaflet).
NB One of the reading assignments may take an oral form, but must be supported by written evidence giving details of the task and supporting criteria related comments for the assessment.
- At lease one piece must be hand-written, preferably one of the Writing
pieces. - Up to three pieces of work may be in a printed format. Evidence of
drafting, editing and details of the circumstances of production need to
be included. Centres must specify when a spell-check facility has been
used and ensure that this is recognised in their assessment of the
piece. - When drafting, students must take the initiative in making
amendments to work. The teacher’s advice must remain on a general
level, only becoming specific to exemplity general comments. In no
cases are ‘fair copies’ of marked work allowed. - In final assignments, teachers must include in-text annotation and a
summary comment which relates to the assessment criteria. - One piece must have been completed under teacher supervision
(including any preparatory work) and be certified as such by the staff
at the centre.
Terminal Examinations 60%
Paper 1 30%
Section A (EN2) 15%
Structured questions will test the reading of a prose passage from the English literary heritage by a major writer with a well-established critical reputation.
Section B (EN3) 15%
Imaginative writing will be assessed through two tasks. The first (20 marks) will ask for a piece of writing to inform, explain, describe. The second (20 marks)will offer opportunities for variety of approaches in writing to explore, imagine, entertain (for example, first person or third person narrative, autobiographical account).
Paper 2 30%
Section A (EN2) 15%
Structured questions will test the reading of non-fiction and media texts.
Section B (EN3) 15%
Transactional and discursive writing will be tested through two equally weighted tasks (20 marks each), the first of which will be linked to the reading material in Section A. The first will ask for a piece of writing intended to argue, persuade, advise. The second will offer opportunities to analyse, review, comment.