GCSEEnglish - 1900

Notice

New GCSEs (for first teaching in 2010)

This qualification will be revised for first teaching in 2010. For further information, please view the GCSE (for first teaching in 2010) page.

Withdrawal of cassettes

A phased withdrawal of cassettes and introduction of CDs using mp3 format will be put in place from 2008. The January 2008 series is unaffected by the phased withdrawal. For more information about these changes, please read the full notice to centres (PDF, 50Kb).

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Overview

This course is designed to offer students a flexible approach in studying English. The course has a unit-based structure and each unit assesses a particular area of content in, reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Students may choose an examination alternative to coursework and be able to enter units early, to mix and match tiers and to tailor re-sits to the fit their needs.

The course provides a sound basis to progress either directly to employment or to proceed to study for an Advanced qualification.

Specification aims

The aims of this specification are:

  1. in reading, to develop students' ability to:
    • Read accurately, fluently and with understanding.
    • Understand and respond to the texts they read.
    • Read, analyse and evaluate a wide range of texts, including literature from the English literary heritage and from other cultures and traditions.
  2. in writing, to develop students' effective use of:
    • Compositional skills- developing ideas and communicating meaning to a reader using a wide-ranging vocabulary and an effective style, oraganising and structuring sentences grammatically and whole texts coherently.
    • A widening variety of forms for different purposes.
  3. In speaking and listening, to develop students' ability to:
    • Use the vocabulary and grammar of standard English.
    • Formulate, clarify and express ideas.
    • Adapt speech to a widening range of circumstances and demands.
    • Listen, understand and respond appropriately to others.

The specification also aims to:

  • Offer Centres maximum flexibility in the planning, teaching and assessment of their courses.
  • Enable Centres to use any perceived advantages of staged assessment.

Order your free exciting poster based on our new English specifications.

Access teacher and student resources information for the new A Levels.

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