English is a compulsory subject for all Year 10 and Year 11 students. The English Department offers an integrated Language and Literature course for all students, leading to IGCSE certification in English Language and English Literature. The integrated course reflects the fact that the two qualifications cover complementary knowledge and skills.

Students will be assessed by terminal examination (100%) for both courses.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE - Edexcel

Aims

The syllabus is designed to develop a student’s ability to understand and to write English effectively. Additionally, it aims to encourage the enjoyment of, and a lasting interest in, literature; an ability to understand and respond to a wide range of literary and non-literary material in an informed, personal and critical manner; and to enable students to write fluently and accurately in different styles for a variety of audiences and purposes.

Course Content

Material will include extracts from literature, and extracts from non-literary sources such as newspapers, advertisements, brochures, and other forms of every-day language usage. Students will be required to read, discuss, and analyse these unseen texts and respond to them in a variety of ways.

Assessment

Paper 1: Non-fiction Texts and Transactional Writing: Paper code 4EA1/01

Externally assessed Written examination: 2 hours 15 minutes: 60 % of total English grade worth 90 marks

Assessment overview 

Section A: Reading – a mixture of short and long answer questions related to a non-fiction text from Part 1 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology and one previously unseen extract. Total of 45 marks.

Section B: Transactional Writing – one 45-mark writing task, from a choice of two involving a given audience, form or purpose. 

Candidates will be provided with the anthology text in the examination.

Paper 2: Poetry & Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing: Paper code 4EA1/02

Externally assessed Written examination: 1 hours 30 minutes: 40% of English grade worth 60 marks 

Assessment overview

Section A: Reading - one 30-mark essay question on a poetry or prose text from Part 2 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology.

Section B: Imaginative Writing – one 30-mark imaginative writing task from a choice of three.

Students will be provided with the anthology text in the examination.

ENGLISH LITERATURE - Edexcel

Aims

The syllabus encourages students to develop an appreciation of literature, both classic and contemporary.  It seeks to develop reading for enjoyment; the ability to analyse and comment on key aspects of literary technique; to expose students to literature from various cultures and traditions and to promote emotional and intellectual growth through reading. This course is a compulsory prerequisite to the English A course offered at IB at BISC.

Course Content

The texts will allow students to explore several aspects of literature through in-depth studies and wider reading in the three main genres: prose (novels/short stories and biography), poetry and drama.

Texts to be studied are chosen from a list of Literary Heritage Texts and Different Cultures Prose Texts set by the Examining Board; there is also the choice of an Anthology of materials selected by the Board. Naturally, a certain amount of reading will have to be done outside class and students will be encouraged to maintain good personal reading habits.

Assessment

Paper 1: Poetry and Modern Prose: Paper Code: 4ET1/01

Externally assessed Written examination: 2 hours: 60 % of total English grade worth 90 marks

Assessment overview 

Section A – Unseen Poetry: one 20-mark essay question exploring the meaning and effects created in an unseen poem. The poem will be reproduced in the question paper. 

Section B – Anthology Poetry: one 30-mark essay question from a choice of two, comparing two poems from Part 3 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology. 

Section C – Modern Prose: one 40-mark essay question from a choice of two on each of the set texts. 

Closed Book Examination: texts are not allowed in the exam.

Paper 2: Modern Drama and Literary Heritage Texts: Paper Code: 4ET1/02

Externally assessed Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes: 40 % of total English grade worth 60 marks

Section A – Modern Drama: one 30-mark essay question from a choice of two on each of the set texts. 

Section B – Literary Heritage Texts: one 30-mark essay question from a choice of two on each of the set texts. 

Open book Examination: prescribed editions of set texts are allowed in the examination and must be completely unmarked, learners or centres must purchase a prescribed edition of each of their set texts at the start of the course.

The Examinations

As the IGCSE examination papers are untiered, all students at BISC have the opportunity to aspire to the highest grades in English Literature and Language, with a grade 9 representing the highest achievement.

Some students will be offered the option of IGCSE second language qualification in English, as an alternative to the GCSE first language courses. Decisions regarding this course will be based on the student’s progress in Key Stage 3 and will be discussed with parents at the end of Year 9.

The Student Perspective

"Over the years of my IGCSE course, English has taught me a variety of skills that I did not know I needed at the time. Going into the subject I didn't really understand what I was signing up for, or how this particular subject would benefit me at all. But after just a few months of my course, I felt more confident with my learning abilities, more focused whilst engaging with my other subjects and even more determined to excel in my achievements in school and outside of school as well. Not only that, but the course itself was extremely interesting for those who are very outgoing and always seeking new challenges like me, which made all the work a lot easier than it already was!"

Year 11 Student