Course at a glance
Examining Board: Edexcel
Next Examination Period: May / June 2024
Exam Specification Code: 4EA1
Introduction
The Edexcel International GCSE English Language course online is designed to facilitate development of a broad understanding of Written English principles
The course is designed to be accessible for those with limited academic or study backgrounds, but there is a need to be able to read, comprehend and write written English to a standard of level 2 or above. In this course students are encourages to use correct grammar spelling and punctuation in order to develop style and presentation as well as facilitating understanding of meaning and language. Therefore the emphasis is on language skills.
Through comprehensive and independent reading of texts and extracts students will be provided with an opportunity to develop skills in summarising, collating and paraphrasing written text
Through writing students will learn how to articulate their own experiences and develop skills that allow expression of ideas clearly and in an ordered way through appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structure.
Throughout the course students will use the Edexcel Anthology which will be provided on the college site and will also be provided for use in the written examinations
Each unit has an associated extended TMA (Tutor Marked Assessment) which students are encouraged to complete so that they can utilise comprehensive feedback from their tutor and use this to identify strengths and weaknesses in knowledge and understanding
The course is formally assessed by external examination (two papers). Examination sessions are January and June depending (January depending on centre registration policies). The expectation is that the course will take a full academic year to complete depending on existing knowledge and available study time as well as individual progress through the course. Therefore each student will progress at a different pace.
The Edexcel International GCSE English Language course follows the specification and requires students to be proactive in their independent learning and evaluation of material.
GCSE English Language Entry Requirements
To enter into our GCSE English Language course Basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.
Study Hours
Approximately 240 hours.
Qualification
Edexcel International GCSE in English Language.
Specification: Edexcel www.edexcel.org.uk
What’s Included
Online Learning Documentation, Online Resources and Tutor support for 1 year.
Further Information
Your course is delivered online via the Oxford Learning On Campus website.
After enrolling online you will receive your username and password to access the On Campus area within 3 working days.
Students are required to arrange and pay for their examinations and manage the course work element if the subject requires this. Students must check the relevant examination board website for further information and final examination sitting dates for the specification.
Further information on exam centres can be found here: https://www.oxfordcollege.ac/examination-centres/
Materials and support provided by Oxford Learning.
A paper copy and PDF copy of course materials are also available to purchase in the online enrolment process.
iGCSE English Language Course Content
iGCSE English Language – Unit 1 – Functional Writing Skills
This unit considers the skills needed for writing for a particular purpose. This includes writing persuasive texts to argue or to advise the reader; and writing to inform, explain and describe. Students will learn effective communication, adapting form, tone, and register of writing for specific purposes and audiences.
iGCSE English Language – Unit 2 – Reading non-fiction
This units considers the reading skills of students. Students will learn and be assessed on reading for meaning and understanding. Students will look at several anthology texts to do this. Students will read and summarise information and ideas, they will identify the purpose of texts and learn skills to read more effectively.
iGCSE English Language – Unit 3 – Comparing Non-fiction texts
This unit looks into exploring the links and connections between writer’s ideas and perspectives. Students will develop skills to analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects. Student will carry out close reading of the text and consider the wider context of the extracts to help understand the them that the authors are writing about.
iGCSE English Language – Unit 4 – Imaginative writing
Students should use what they have learned about the writer’s craft in their reading of fiction to inspire and influence their own imaginative writing. They should develop a range of creative writing techniques, planning and proof-reading skills.
iGCSE English Language – Unit 5 – Poetry and Prose Anthology texts
Students will read selections from a range of high-quality, challenging poetry or prose fiction to prepare them for an assignment based on their selected poetry and prose texts from Part 2 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology. They will develop to be able to read substantial pieces of writing (extended texts) that make significant demands on them in terms of content, structure and the quality of language. Throughout the unit, students should develop the skills of inference and analysis.
Assessment objectives and weightings
AO1:
Read and understand a variety of texts, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives
15%
AO2:
Understand and analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects
20%
AO3:
Explore links and connections between writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed
15%
AO4:
Communicate effectively and imaginatively, adapting form, tone and register of writing for specific purposes and audiences
30%
AO5:
Write clearly, using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, with appropriate paragraphing and accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation
20%
Progression
This iGCSE English Language course can be used in preparation for progressing to higher level study in relevant subjects (for example AS and A2) or as a vehicle for career development or to fulfil entry requirements to education courses.
