GCSE English Literature – Adults

**This course may be FREE if you earn less than £25,000 p.a. Other learners may be eligible for a reduced fee of £360. Contact us for further details.**

This is a one-year course on which you will study a variety of texts from different genres. Successful achievement of this qualification will enhance your career prospects and encourage a skills-based approach to analysis. It is an excellent course to run alongside a GCSE English Language programme, giving insight into context, meaning and interpretation. It will also give you a valuable grounding in a wide variety of literature which will stay with you 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.

Your course induction will be on Monday 1st September 09:30-12:15.

You will be expected to maintain a high level of attendance throughout the course.

Learners will be prepared for the exams using a range of materials and mock exams.

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

This will involve exploring and analysing Shakespeare’s play, ‘Macbeth’, and Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde’ – a 19th century gothic novel which has inspired many horror stories.

On section A of the paper, students will answer one question on the Shakespeare play. This will require them to write, in detail, about an extract and then to write about the whole play.

On section B, students will be required to write, in detail, about an extract from ‘Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde’ and then to write about the novel as a whole.

• Modern texts and poetry (Paper 2) – 60% – 2hrs 15mins

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

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

On 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 the texts; information on this will be provided at the time of interview.

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.

A grade 4 in GCSE English Literature not only enhances your career prospects but counts towards the five GCSE entry requirements for Level 3 courses or careers.

For more information, contact the Adult English and Maths Team on 01332 387465 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk