St Bede's College

English is fun!

Perhaps you have in mind one of the many careers for which English Literature is helpful or essential. Perhaps you see English Literature as going well with your other GCE Advanced subjects. Perhaps you believe that English Literature is worth doing for its own sake.

Perhaps it is a combination of these reasons.
You would be right! English Literature does go well with any other subject; and is ideal preparation for university – whatever your subject – and for life in general.

The Sixth Form English Literature course at St Bede’s is popular and successful. Most of our pupils, particularly those who work hard at it, seem to find the experience demanding and enjoyable. The commonest grade in recent years has been A.

The essential requirement of the course is that you enjoy reading and want to increase your knowledge and love of literature.

In any case, the better your GCSE English and English Literature achievement, the more confident you will feel and the better you are likely to do. Reading takes time. You have to be able to take the time. So it really matters that you enjoy reading.

During the course of study you will be helped to become intelligent about the texts you are studying and about literature you see for the first time.

Although AS is a qualification in itself, both courses are designed for connection and continuity.  Assessment at both levels is by coursework and examination.

The GCE Advanced course consists of four modules, two for AS and a further two for A2. They cover a range of genre and period. You could expect to study Shakespeare, and other poetry, prose and drama from a range of periods.

You would have seven lessons per fortnight (six at AS) with each of two English specialists. You will be encouraged to develop your ideas and to become adept at presenting, discussing and defending them. You would be expected to read widely and to write frequent essays.

You will find that your teachers’ interest in you and your studying is not confined to the classroom and that they will be happy to discuss your work at pretty well any practical time.  All members of the Department are always happy to offer advice.

The most important thing is to remember that English is fun!

AS ENGLISH LITERATURE	A2 ENGLISH LITERATURE
World War I Literature one examination on poetry studied on wider reading coursework on a novel on drama	Love through the Ages one examination two questions – on poetry, prose & drama coursework one essay on three texts – poetry, prose & drama

For further information, please contact Mr Michael Berry, Head of English.