1. Current 2nde
All Students are entered to sit the
EDEXCEL English Language and
English Literature GCSEs in June 2012

2. Why ?
● The EDEXCEL English GCSE focuses on reading analysis,
speaking and listening skills and writing skills.
● All of these skills are examined for the OIB so it is excellent
preparation for the qualification we offer at the end of
Terminale.
● The EDEXCEL English Literature GCSE focuses on analysing
poetry, prose and plays from the English Literary Heritage.
● The OIB focuses on the same.

3. What should the students have already
completed ?
● Eight hours of Controlled Assessments representing 20% of the
English Language GCSEs final award and 25% of the English
Literature final award.
● The study of a selection of poetry that will prepare them for their
English Literature Unseen Poem exam.
● An initial reading of To Kill A Mockingbird, a text that will be
examined in both English Language and English Literature.

4. What if my son / daughter is new to
the section this year ?
● They will be completing the Controlled Assessments, that their
classmates completed in 3eme, in addition to the work they will all
be completing this year.
● The Literature Controlled Assessments are / were on two plays : The
Crucible by Arthur Miller and The Merchant of Venice by William
Shakespeare.
● The Language Controlled Assessments are / were based around a
theme of Talent Television, one was an analytical task looking at
non-fiction texts, the other a writing task, creating a non-fiction text.

5. What will the students be
doing this year ?
● Four more hours of Controlled Assessments in English Language
(20% of the award).
 The first two hours will be analysing spoken language.
 The second two hour slot will be to write a text that is related to
spoken language – a persuasive speech, for example.
● Three Speaking and Listening tasks – one individual presentation,
one group interaction and one drama focused activity (20% of the
award).

6. What about exams ?
● The rest of the course, in both English Literature and English
Language, will be focused on preparing the students to sit exams.
● There is one paper to sit for the English Language GCSE (40% of the
award).
● There are two papers to sit for the English Literature exam (75% of
the award).

7. What does my son / daughter gain
from getting good grades (C – A*)?
● A feeling of pride in their achievements, boosting their self-esteem
and confidence.
● They have had the experience of sitting a rigorous exam in English –
excellent preparation for the OIB.
● English Universities require students to have a C grade or above at
GCSE, irrespective of the course they wish to study.
● American Universities look very closely at anything on applications
that demonstrates extra effort on the part of the students.

8. Where can I find out more?
● For the English Language specification, exemplar materials
and past papers click this link:
● http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse10/english/lang
uage/Pages/default.aspx
● For the English Literature specification, exemplar materials
and past papers click this link:
● http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse10/english/litera
ture/Pages/default.aspx

9. ● Some of the books you might see your child working from this year...