English GCSE
English, English Language and English Literature
Examination Board: WJEC
How is the course taught?
Students are placed in ability groups and whilst there is the flexibility
for movement between groups, they tend to remain in the original groups
for the duration of the course with the same teacher in order to ensure
continuity.
How is it assessed?
Students are required to complete coursework and/or controlled assessments,
as well as other assignments in both written and oral forms on a regular
basis. These are assessed according to GCSE grade assessment criteria.
However, the bulk of the assessment for both the English examination and
the English Literature examination is by end-of-course examination.
Legacy Specification (Ends November 2011)
GCSE English
There are two two-hour examinations at the end of the course which constitute
60% of the final assessment.
Oral and written coursework 40%; Written examination 60%
GCSE English Literature
There is one two and a half hour examination at the end of the course which
constitutes 70% of the final assessment.
English Literature
Written coursework 30%; Written examination 70%
New Specification (Starts September 2010)
GCSE English Language
Written Paper 20% (1 hour)
Unit 1: Studying Written Language (Reading: Non-Fiction Texts)
Written Paper 20% (1 hour)
Unit 2: Using Written Language (Writing: Information and Ideas)
Controlled Assessment 30%
Unit 3: Literary Reading and Creative Writing (Studying Written Language
- 15%; Descriptive Writing – 7.5%, Narrative – 7.5%)
Controlled Assessment 30%
Unit 4: Spoken Language (Speaking & Listening
tasks – 20%; Studying Spoken Language – 10%)
GCSE English Literature
External Assessment 35% (2hrs)
Unit 1: Different Cultures Prose & Unseen
Poetry Comparison
External Assessment 40% (2hrs)
Unit 2a: Literary Heritage Drama & Contemporary
Prose
OR
Unit 2b: Contemporary Drama & Literary
Heritage Prose
Controlled Assessment (Linked Texts) 25%
Unit 3: Poetry and Drama (Literary Heritage): Poetry from the WJEC Anthology
and a Shakespeare play