ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Teaching our children to read intelligently and write effectively is one of the cornerstones of any good education, but there are many routes to achieving this goal. So much has been written about the teaching of reading and writing that there is no need for me to repeat here what you can easily find elsewhere, but in the pages in this section you can get an idea of 'where we are coming from' in terms of our approach to English teaching, with a particular emphasis on the problem of reluctant writers.
GCSE The English Language GCSE is not at the moment available for home-educators due to the Speaking and listening component, but there are IGCSEs available from Edexcel and CIE.
I've put some more detailed information on the CIE exam on the IGCSE English language page as this is the only exam my own children have taken. Edexcel English Language (Specification A, which is more popular than Spec B) differs quite dramatically from the CIE exam as it employs an anthology of fiction and non-fiction pieces. This is appealing to some pupils and parents because it takes the 'unknown' element out of the exam, and, because set pieces from the anthologies are reprinted in full in the exam paper, the pupil does not have to memorise anything. However, the choices of material for the anthology are not of a particularly high quality (they are mainly contemporary and journalistic).
Overview of schedule by age
Preparatory Level
Please read the Preparatory page overview for an explanation of the general approach, and more detailed explanations, for this age group.
Age 4-5
Reading: Level 1:
- begin to sound out three letter words (cat, dog, bus)
- begin to recognise capitals
- Match names as well as sounds to letters
- know that c, g, s and y have alternative sounds
Writing: - trace forms of letter with fingers
- copy over letter-writing patterns
Using language: use rhyming words and memorise easy verses
Age 5-6
Reading: Level 2:
- recognise all capitals
- read longer simple phonetic words (rabbit, camera etc)
- introduce blending in simple words (crab, club, pram etc)
- read and illustrate simple phrases with simple phonic words (e.g. six fat slugs)
Level 3 :
- know vowels have two sounds (teach 'magic' silent e words)
- teach first set of digraphs
- read and illustrate phrases with words using new digraphs (e.g. three silly sheep)
Level 4:
- teach next few sets of digraphs/trigraphs
- read and illustrate new words and short sentences
- move onto easy books when ready, learning new digraphs as needed
Writing: Continue with handwriting patterns, moving on to letters and words when child is ready.
Using language: Continue to recognise and use rhymes and memorise poems
Age 6-7
Reading: Continue as at 5-6 if not reading yet
Writing: - practice simple print on proper lined paper
- understand syllables, and that each one needs a vowel or 'y'
- learn four rules for making a sentence
- construct simple sentences (using cards if still struggling with writing)
Using language: - put letters then words in alphabetical order (foundation for dictionary use):
- use simple poetic techniques to make own poems (dictated if struggling to write)
- memorise poems
PRIMARY LEVEL
Age 7-8
Handwriting (print, using text such as Jarman)
Spelling Level 1 (includes single graphemes) Introduce spelling rules
Grammar and punctuation: English Grammar games
Composition: copy-work and dictation, sentence level
Language use: poetry word games
Age 8-9
Handwriting (cursive, using text such as Jarman)
Spelling 2 Level 2 (mixed graphemes)
Grammar and punctuation: English Grammar Part 1
Composition: copy-work and dictation, sentence and possibly paragraph level
Language use: poetry techniques
Age 9-10
Spelling: Schonell spelling lists as needed
Grammar and punctuation: English Grammar Part 2
Composition: Copy work and self correction at paragraph level
Language use: poetry inspirations
Age 10-11
Spelling: Schonell spelling lists as needed
Grammar and punctuation : Any suitable English text for KS3 (see recommendations)
Composition: Continue with modelling and self correction of longer pieces of writing and/or begin work on original compositions as suggested by your English coursebook.
Comprehension: For examples of comprehension questions combined with short compositions click here. (For extracts only click here)
Language Use: poetry rhythm
MIDDLE LEVEL
Age 11-12
Spellings: lists of less common words, often misspelled
Grammar and punctuation: 'Grammar to 14' for revision and practice. You might prefer to start with the 12 chapters on punctuation. There are 39 grammar lessons so these could be spread over two years.
Comprehension and analysis: 'Comprehension to 14' selections or equivalent.
Composition: Original compositions as suggested by your English course book.
Age 12-13
Grammar and punctuation: continue 'Grammar to 14' or equivalent if not completed. Here is a simple schedule to cover 'Grammar to 14' in one year.
Comprehension and analysis: 'Comprehension to 14' selections or equivalent. Useful terms
for literary analysis can be found here and here.
Composition: Original compositions as suggested by your English course book.
SECONDARY LEVEL
Age 13-14
Revise paragraph writing if needed (notes available here on paragraphs)
Study conventions of essay writing (notes available here).
Use Warriner or any equivalent text for essay writing topics.
Age 14-15
Study IGCSE prep textbook and past papers; take exam
Age 15-16
If exam not taken, study IGCSE prep textbook and past papers; take exam.