Welcome to the LHS English Department
HOW can I revise for English???
The greatest literature takes readers on journeys of enlightenment and wonder. It allows us to explore worlds down rabbit holes, fly with dragons, talk with animals, experience rich and diverse cultures, as if we are there too.
The wide reach of the English language also allows us to understand and appreciate the diversity of our planet and its history. From the tales of Chaucer’s 13th century pilgrims, via Shakespeare’s incredible dramatic verse, through Tennessee Williams’ American Deep South, stopping off to experience the surrealism of Japan’s Haruki Murakami, and all the wonders in-between, the English department will take you on many journeys in your time with us.
We hope that you will be inspired by the places you see and the people you meet there.
English Language
The course offers pupils the opportunity to focus primarily on the functional aspects of language, with an integrated approach to oracy, reading and writing.
This a linear qualification with un-tiered assessments.
How is it assessed?
Unit 1 - Oracy
Non examination assessment (20%).
Task 1 (10%) – Individual Researched Presentation (40 marks).
One individual, researched presentation, which may include responses to questions and feedback, based on WJEC set themes.
Task 2 (10%) – Responding and Interacting (40 marks).
One group discussion to written and/or visual stimuli provided by WJEC to initiate the discussion.
Unit 2 - Reading and Writing: Description, Narration and Exposition.
External examination (40%).
Section A (20%) – Reading (40 marks) Understanding of at least one description, one narration and one exposition text, including continuous and non-continuous texts, assessed through a range of structured questions.
This section will also include an editing task focusing on understanding short texts at word, sentence and text level (2.5% of qualification total).
Section B (20%) – Writing (40 marks) One writing task to be selected from a choice of two that could be either description, narration or exposition.
This section will also include one proofreading task focusing on writing accurately (2.5% of qualification total).
Half of the marks for this section will be awarded for communication and organisation (meaning, purpose, readers and structure) and the other for writing accurately (language, grammar, punctuation and spelling).
Unit 3 - Reading and Writing: Argumentation, Persuasion and Instructional
Section A (20%) – Reading (40 marks). Understanding of at least one argumentation, one persuasion and one instructional text, including continuous and non-continuous texts, assessed through a range of structured questions.
Section B (20%) – Writing (40 marks). One compulsory argumentation writing task and one compulsory persuasion writing task.
Half of the marks for this section will be awarded for communication and organisation (meaning, purpose, readers and structure) and the other half for writing accurately (language, grammar, punctuation and spelling).
English Literature
In addition to the above qualification, pupils will also gain a GCSE in English Literature. The course helps pupils to develop their personal response and to critically understand a range of texts in the genres of prose, poetry, and drama. There are two tiers of entry for this qualification – Higher, A*-D, and Foundation, C-G.
How is it assessed?
Unit 1: Prose (Different Cultures) and Poetry (Contemporary).
External Examination (35%).
Section A - Different Cultures Prose: Of Mice and Men (Steinbeck).
Section B - Unseen poetry comparison, the preparation for which will include the study of contemporary poems.
Unit 2: Contemporary Drama and Literary Heritage Prose.
External Examination (40%).
Section A - An Inspector Calls (Priestley).
Section B - Heroes (Cormier).
Unit 3: Shakespeare and Welsh Writing in English.
Non-examination assessment (25%).
Section A - A play by Shakespeare chosen by the centre. WJEC will set a generic task on a specific theme which centres may use or modify.
Section B - Stipulated poetry from the Library of Wales anthology Poetry 1900-2000: One Hundred Poets from Wales. Candidates study fifteen specified poems listed for the chosen theme.
WJEC will set generic tasks on the theme.
Centres may use or modify one task.
Centres must ensure that the task requires comparison of at least two poems.
Media Studies
In addition to the above qualification, pupils will also gain a GCSE in English Literature. The course helps pupils to develop their personal response and to critically understand a range of texts in the genres of prose, poetry, and drama. There are two tiers of entry for this qualification – Higher, A*-D, and Foundation, C-G.
How is it assessed?
Unit 1: Exploring the Media
External assessment (30%).
Section A - Representations – advertising, video games and newspapers.
This section will assess knowledge and understanding of the representation of gender and events in relation to any of the media forms studied – advertising, video games and newspapers.
Section B: Music
This section will assess knowledge and understanding of media language, representation, media industries and audiences.
Unit 2: Understanding Television and Film.
External examination (30%).
Section A: Wales on Television.
This section will assess knowledge of media industries, audiences, media language and representation.
Section B: Contemporary Hollywood Film.
This section will assess knowledge and understanding of media industries, audiences and media language.
One stepped question and two single questions.
Unit 3: Creating Media.
Non-exam assessment (40%).
A media production, including individual research and planning, created in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC, and applying knowledge and understanding of key concepts. An individual reflective analysis of the production.