Welcome to parents and Welcome to parents and studentsstudents

How to do the best you can in the How to do the best you can in the English examinationEnglish examination

Mrs Johnson KS4 co-ordinatorMrs Johnson KS4 co-ordinatorDo not worry about referring to the booklet Do not worry about referring to the booklet

now – tomorrow each student will bring now – tomorrow each student will bring one homeone home

1.1. The Controlled AssessmentsThe Controlled Assessments

2. What’s on the exam 2. What’s on the exam

3. What you can do to improve your child’s 3. What you can do to improve your child’s chances of successchances of success

4. Looking at example of past papers4. Looking at example of past papers

5. Looking at examples of revision materials 5. Looking at examples of revision materials you can purchaseyou can purchase

6. Question and Answer – over to you.6. Question and Answer – over to you.

The Controlled AssessmentsThe Controlled Assessments

► English studentsEnglish studentsPortfolio of pieces include:Portfolio of pieces include:Writing about a Writing about a

Shakespeare playShakespeare playWriting about Writing about Of Mice Of Mice

and Menand Men (USA novel) (USA novel)Writing about 2 poemsWriting about 2 poemsWriting their own pieces Writing their own pieces

of original work:of original work: i) a story based on a i) a story based on a

book, play or poembook, play or poemii) A piece of writing ii) A piece of writing

around their own livesaround their own lives

English Language English Language studentsstudents

1.1. Writing about Writing about Of Mice Of Mice and Menand Men (USA novel) (USA novel)

2.2. Writing their own Writing their own pieces of original work:pieces of original work:

i) a story based on a i) a story based on a book, play or poembook, play or poem

ii) Writing a rant – DON’T ii) Writing a rant – DON’T GET ME STARTED……GET ME STARTED……

3. Spoken language 3. Spoken language studystudy

English studentsEnglish studentsUnit 3 Understanding and Unit 3 Understanding and

Producing Creative Texts Producing Creative Texts

► 40% 40% Controlled 2 x 3-Controlled 2 x 3-4 hrs4 hrs

A Understanding Creative A Understanding Creative TextsTexts (20%) (20%)

► Up to three written responses Up to three written responses from AQA task bank based on from AQA task bank based on study of play by Shakespeare, study of play by Shakespeare, a text from English Literary a text from English Literary Heritage & one from different Heritage & one from different cultures (may use AQA Lit cultures (may use AQA Lit anthologies) anthologies)

► Focus: Themes & Ideas + Focus: Themes & Ideas + Characterisation & VoiceCharacterisation & Voice

B Producing Creative TextsB Producing Creative Texts (20%) (20%)

Responses totalling approx 1600 Responses totalling approx 1600 words to 2 tasks from the task words to 2 tasks from the task bank, based upon Moving bank, based upon Moving Images, Prompts & Re-Images, Prompts & Re-creations and Me, Myself, I.creations and Me, Myself, I.

English Language English Language studentsstudents

Unit 3 Understanding Spoken and Unit 3 Understanding Spoken and Written Texts and Writing Written Texts and Writing CreativelyCreatively

40% 40% Controlled Controlled

A: Extended ReadingA: Extended Reading (15%) (up to 4 (15%) (up to 4 hrs) hrs)

1 task from study of 1 extended text 1 task from study of 1 extended text (incl any studied for Eng Lit) from (incl any studied for Eng Lit) from any genre (e.g. collection of poems, any genre (e.g. collection of poems, short stories or non-fiction). AQA short stories or non-fiction). AQA task bank focuses will be Themes & task bank focuses will be Themes & Ideas and Characterisation & VoiceIdeas and Characterisation & Voice

B: Creative WritingB: Creative Writing (15%) (up to 4 (15%) (up to 4 hrs)hrs)

2 non-fiction genre tasks (incl multi-2 non-fiction genre tasks (incl multi-modal option) from AQA task bankmodal option) from AQA task bank, , Moving Images; Commissions & Re-Moving Images; Commissions & Re-creationscreations

C: Spoken LanguageC: Spoken Language StudyStudy (10%) (10%) (2-3 hrs)(2-3 hrs)

1 research focused task (6 provided in 1 research focused task (6 provided in AQA task bank), exploring social AQA task bank), exploring social attitudes, spoken genres or multi-attitudes, spoken genres or multi-modal talk. modal talk.

EVERY STUDENT:EVERY STUDENT:

►Unit 2 Speaking & Listening Unit 2 Speaking & Listening

20% Controlled20% Controlled

3 equally weighted activities: 3 equally weighted activities: presenting, discussion & listening; presenting, discussion & listening; role-play role-play

As you’ve As you’ve probablyprobably been been informed!informed!

► Controlled assessments Controlled assessments havehave to be done to be done under examination conditionsunder examination conditions

► The students are prepared for themThe students are prepared for them► They can take a page of notes in with themThey can take a page of notes in with them► The time allowed is generousThe time allowed is generous► We are trying to get the best out of the We are trying to get the best out of the

students. So, they can have another students. So, they can have another chance if they do not perform well, as long chance if they do not perform well, as long as they do not do the same title.as they do not do the same title.

► Parents can help with any useful contextual Parents can help with any useful contextual information during the planning stage.information during the planning stage.

We are increasing our We are increasing our support:support:

In addition to English lessons In addition to English lessons somesome students are having additional students are having additional examination practice once a week with examination practice once a week with an English teacher.an English teacher.

Examination dateExamination date

► EnglishEnglish F and H F and H► English LanguageEnglish Language F and H F and H

STUDENTS WILL BE SITTING THE STUDENTS WILL BE SITTING THE SAME EXAMINATIONSAME EXAMINATION

It lasts 2 hours 15 minutesIt lasts 2 hours 15 minutesDate for your diary = Tuesday 29Date for your diary = Tuesday 29thth May May Duration = 2 hours and 15 minutesDuration = 2 hours and 15 minutes► Section A = 1 hour 15 minutesSection A = 1 hour 15 minutes► Section B = 1 hourSection B = 1 hour

English/English LanguageEnglish/English Language

► The CONTROLLED The CONTROLLED ASSESSMENTS are ASSESSMENTS are slightly different, slightly different, but the examination but the examination for both of these are for both of these are the samethe same

► There are two tiers There are two tiers – Foundation and – Foundation and HigherHigher

► With the Foundation With the Foundation paper – students paper – students can achieve a grade can achieve a grade C and belowC and below

► With the Higher With the Higher paper - students paper - students can achieve an A* can achieve an A* and belowand below

AQA GCSE English/English AQA GCSE English/English LanguageLanguage

►The examination board is the AQAThe examination board is the AQA►Anyone can access the website and Anyone can access the website and

look at past papers, mark schemeslook at past papers, mark schemes

The layout of examThe layout of exam

► Examination is in Examination is in two parts – two parts – Section Section A – ReadingA – Reading

► Reading three Reading three different types of different types of text and answering text and answering questions about questions about each one in turn each one in turn and then comparing and then comparing two of themtwo of them

► Section B – WritingSection B – Writing► Shorter writing Shorter writing ► Longer writingLonger writing

Skills required in Section ASkills required in Section A

►Reading means you read texts and Reading means you read texts and you are graded on your you are graded on your comprehension or understanding of comprehension or understanding of these three different textsthese three different texts

►What do the writers imply?What do the writers imply?►What can you infer?What can you infer?►Reading and answering the questions Reading and answering the questions

asked.asked.

Section ASection A

►Section by section – Section by section – your parent your parent bookletbooklet

►Reading and Writing non-fiction textsReading and Writing non-fiction texts►1. First glance – 1. First glance – ►2. Take a closer look –2. Take a closer look –►3. Focus on Shape3. Focus on Shape►4. Zoom in on language4. Zoom in on language►5. Piece together your GAP evidence5. Piece together your GAP evidence

Section ASection A► All the skills on the All the skills on the

previous slide – but previous slide – but students are advised to students are advised to answer the questions bit answer the questions bit by bit – by bit –

1.1. Read article 1 – answer the Read article 1 – answer the questions relating to that questions relating to that articlearticle

2.2. Read article 2 – answer the Read article 2 – answer the questions relating to that questions relating to that articlearticle

3.3. Read article 3 – answer the Read article 3 – answer the questions relating to that questions relating to that articlearticle

4.4. Finally use all the skills Finally use all the skills and put them all together.and put them all together.

Biggest skill is to Biggest skill is to answer the answer the questions you have questions you have been asked! Not been asked! Not something the something the student feels like student feels like saying. Waffle not saying. Waffle not required!required!

HOW to succeed?HOW to succeed?

► This is an improvement in the examThis is an improvement in the exam► Take time and with pen in handTake time and with pen in hand► Read the first textRead the first text► Read the questionsRead the questions► HighlightHighlight relevant sections of the textrelevant sections of the text► Read the questions one last time and write Read the questions one last time and write

the answers in the booklet providedthe answers in the booklet provided► Each question has mark – student must Each question has mark – student must

understand how much writing and the type understand how much writing and the type of answer is requiredof answer is required

Section BSection B► We no longer know exactly what the We no longer know exactly what the

students have to write aboutstudents have to write about► The AQA wish students to be prepared to The AQA wish students to be prepared to

write well in an entertaining manner for any write well in an entertaining manner for any purpose and not to produce anything to a purpose and not to produce anything to a set formulaset formula

► Write using a varied register – recognising Write using a varied register – recognising the purpose for writing and the intended the purpose for writing and the intended audienceaudience

► So all students must be able to write in a So all students must be able to write in a variety of sentencesvariety of sentences

► Structure their writing into paragraphsStructure their writing into paragraphs► Write in a coherent way – introduction, main Write in a coherent way – introduction, main

body and conclusionbody and conclusion

These are the different types of These are the different types of writing you need to be aware ofwriting you need to be aware of

► argueargue► adviseadvise► describedescribe► entertainentertain► instructinstruct► informinform► persuadepersuade

HOW can I tell which is HOW can I tell which is which?which?

Think:Think:► Why you are writing Why you are writing ► Who you are writing Who you are writing

it forit for► Purpose and Purpose and

AudienceAudience

Look at the glossary Look at the glossary in the parents in the parents bookletbooklet

It is all in the - GlossaryIt is all in the - Glossary

►There are many features of types of There are many features of types of sentences and types of language – sentences and types of language – students will have been prepared to students will have been prepared to write for a number of purposes in the write for a number of purposes in the correct correct registerregister..

►RegisterRegister means the right type of means the right type of voice/language for the situation.voice/language for the situation.

Hey dude I need a job! Can I come and work for your company? I’m quite good atgetting up most mornings. I can talk loads so no-one will ever be bored when I’m around! Get back to me. Laters.

TOP TIPSTOP TIPS

► Read the question carefullyRead the question carefully► Make sure you are writing Make sure you are writing

for the correct purpose and for the correct purpose and you writing is suitable for you writing is suitable for the audiencethe audience

► Write a planWrite a plan► Stick to the time limitStick to the time limit► Shorter writing – 25 minutesShorter writing – 25 minutes► Longer writing – 35 minutesLonger writing – 35 minutes► Write in a different styleWrite in a different style► SHOW THE EXAMINER WHAT SHOW THE EXAMINER WHAT

YOU CAN DO!YOU CAN DO!

Improve your vocabularyImprove your vocabulary

►Learn a new word every day!Learn a new word every day!►Go on line – Dictionary. comGo on line – Dictionary. com

► If you put a word into the search engine If you put a word into the search engine it will give you a little quiz about further it will give you a little quiz about further vocabulary – everyone should be proud vocabulary – everyone should be proud to know the meaning of a few more to know the meaning of a few more words – the examiners will sit up and words – the examiners will sit up and take notice!take notice!

Play the Word Dynamo Challenge and turbo-charge your vocabularyStart Now

                                   

SuggestionsSuggestions

► Look at the exam Look at the exam papers so you can papers so you can see precisely what see precisely what the students have the students have to do.to do.

► If you are worried: If you are worried: ► Access the websites Access the websites

in the bookletin the booklet

Revision guidesRevision guides

►Every possible guide availableEvery possible guide available► I have some examplesI have some examples►We can order the CGP ones cheaper We can order the CGP ones cheaper

than schoolthan school►There are work booklets the students There are work booklets the students

can do for themselvescan do for themselves►Amazon/WHS all well known stockists Amazon/WHS all well known stockists

sell any number of revision guides – sell any number of revision guides – remember the exam board is AQA.remember the exam board is AQA.

Please take a copy of ‘To the Please take a copy of ‘To the Top’ a booklet with plenty of Top’ a booklet with plenty of

examples of A grade responses examples of A grade responses and ideas.and ideas.

Questions?Questions?