GCSE English Literature – Adults

**This course may be FREE if you are claiming benefits or on a low income, while other learners may receive a 50% discount: please contact us for more details.**

On this one-year course you will study a variety of texts from different genres.

Successful achievement of this qualification will enhance your career prospects. It also encourages a skills-based approach to analysis. It offers excellent preparation for Level 3 English Literature and other humanities-based Level 3 courses, as well as giving students a grounding in a wide variety of literature that will stay with them for life.

The course will involve preparation for two exams:

Paper 1 – Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel

Paper 2 – Modern texts and poetry

You should be 19 years old or over and will be screened and interviewed prior to starting the course to determine your suitability.

You should have an interest in reading and should also enjoy watching plays/films and reading poetry.

You should also maintain a good level of attendance throughout the course.

The course will involve preparation for two end-of-year exams.

Learners will be prepared for these exams with a range of preparation materials and mock exams.

• Shakespeare and the 19th-century novel (Paper 1) – 40% – 1hr 45 mins

This will involve exploring and analysing Shakespeare’s play, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Sign of Four’  – a 19th century novel including the legendary character of Sherlock Holmes.

In the actual Paper 1 for section A, students will answer one question on the Shakespeare play. They will be required to write in detail about an extract from the play and then to write about the play as a whole.

For section B, students will be required to write in detail about an extract from the ‘The Sign of Four’ and then to write about the novel as a whole.

• Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives (Paper 2) – 60% – 2hr 15 mins

This will involve exploring and analysing a modern drama text, ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley. In the exam for section A, you will answer one essay question from a choice of two on this play.

For section B, Poetry, you will answer one comparative question on one named poem printed on the paper and one other poem from the anthology cluster ‘Power and Conflict,’ which we will study as part of the course.

For Section C, Unseen Poetry, you will answer one question on an unseen poem and one question comparing this poem with a second unseen poem.

This course will be delivered on-site.

You will need to purchase your own copies of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Sign of Four’ and J. B. Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls.’

We also recommend that you purchase an A4 writing pad (with margins), black pens, a highlighter and a folder in which to keep your work.

Assessment is based on 100% examination, with two exams.

A grade 4 in GCSE English Literature enhances your career prospects and counts towards the five GCSE entry requirement for Level 3 courses or careers.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk