IGCSE English Literature
Since the GCSE reforms, private candidates can now take GCSE as well as IGCSE English Literature. One of the biggest differences I have noticed is that with the GCSE exam, the candidate is required to tackle one or more unseen texts. This is not the case with the IGCSE. CIE does have an option to tackle an unseen drama, the alternative being to study two specified plays rather than one. With my children, I have always opted for the two plays as I feel unseens are more daunting unless a child has a particular aptitude for analysing literature (not a common aptitude in boys, in my experience!). Also, with the GCSE, Shakespeare is compulsory, whereas with the IGCSE his plays are only optional.
When checking the specification, be very careful to make sure you have the correct texts for the year in which your child will take the exam.
Once you have chosen which board you prefer (which, as ever, may be determined by what is available at your local exam centre - see GCSEs page), and chosen which texts you wish to study, you need to decide how to go about the teaching.
If you have already studied literature in the years preceding GCSE level, your child should be familiar with most of the terminology and methods he or she needs to prepare for the exam. Having said that, there are many sources of help if you feel a bit daunted!
The exam boards offer useful guidelines as to how to approach each of the three genres (prose, poetry, drama), and, of course, doing past papers and checking them against not just mark scheme but the examiner's report is essential.
For every text offered at this level, you will be able to buy a cheap set of study notes, though often most of the summaries, character studies, textual analysis, notes on plot and theme etc. will be available free on the internet. Sites like TES connect are free to join and have a wealth of notes, worksheets etc. which you can download for a small charge or for free.
If you click here you can find notes adapted from the CIE website on how to help teach students how to study prose and poetry.
There is an excellent Facebook group offering help to home educators studying this subject: www.facebook.com/groups/801773049841714/?ref=group_header
Since the GCSE reforms, private candidates can now take GCSE as well as IGCSE English Literature. One of the biggest differences I have noticed is that with the GCSE exam, the candidate is required to tackle one or more unseen texts. This is not the case with the IGCSE. CIE does have an option to tackle an unseen drama, the alternative being to study two specified plays rather than one. With my children, I have always opted for the two plays as I feel unseens are more daunting unless a child has a particular aptitude for analysing literature (not a common aptitude in boys, in my experience!). Also, with the GCSE, Shakespeare is compulsory, whereas with the IGCSE his plays are only optional.
When checking the specification, be very careful to make sure you have the correct texts for the year in which your child will take the exam.
Once you have chosen which board you prefer (which, as ever, may be determined by what is available at your local exam centre - see GCSEs page), and chosen which texts you wish to study, you need to decide how to go about the teaching.
If you have already studied literature in the years preceding GCSE level, your child should be familiar with most of the terminology and methods he or she needs to prepare for the exam. Having said that, there are many sources of help if you feel a bit daunted!
The exam boards offer useful guidelines as to how to approach each of the three genres (prose, poetry, drama), and, of course, doing past papers and checking them against not just mark scheme but the examiner's report is essential.
For every text offered at this level, you will be able to buy a cheap set of study notes, though often most of the summaries, character studies, textual analysis, notes on plot and theme etc. will be available free on the internet. Sites like TES connect are free to join and have a wealth of notes, worksheets etc. which you can download for a small charge or for free.
If you click here you can find notes adapted from the CIE website on how to help teach students how to study prose and poetry.
There is an excellent Facebook group offering help to home educators studying this subject: www.facebook.com/groups/801773049841714/?ref=group_header