Mr East English Tuition

As they say in the world of film, that's a wrap!

Year 11 students completed their final GCSE English exam this morning. It's been lovely to receive messages from students and parents telling me how it went. It's slowly sinking in that I won't see them again in tuition sessions.

I will miss them but I've grown to accept that this is part of the cycle of teaching and tutoring. You get to know a group well and, before you know it, they are done and dusted and moving on to their next steps. I wish each and every one of them all the luck in the world for their futures. I'm sure they will be bright.

For now, it's a case of keeping calm and carrying on with revision for those subjects with exams still remaining. And there are quite a few still to go. Most year 11 students will need to keep focused until their final exam on 15th June.

As for me, whilst I've waved a fond farewell to my year 11 students, I'm looking forward to continuing to work with my year 10s and meeting new students who are joining me for trial sessions next week.

Thanks so much for all of the cards and gifts from departing students and their families. As you can see from the picture, I have been thoroughly spoiled.

I have a limited number of spaces available in my small groups for next academic year, with just one remaining in one of my GCSE English Language groups.

If you're local to Sutton Coldfield and would like to find out more, you can request my Q&A document here:

https://forms.gle/mD5K3qdx5YKzbQd8A

Happy Friday and well done, year 11. Keep calm and carry on revising remains the mantra!

Thanks for reading.

Phil 👍 📚

Tomorrow is the AQA GCSE English Language Paper 2 exam.

This marks the final English exam of the current exam season. Literature was finished before half-term and students have been working hard to prepare for this second language exam tomorrow morning.

It's a big one. This paper is worth 50% of the English Language qualification. The grade they achieve tomorrow will have a huge impact on their final result.

If you're the parent of a teenager sitting this exam tomorrow, share the information and advice below and use it as the basis for a discussion this evening to make sure they know what to expect.

Unlike Paper 1, tomorrow's exam focuses on non-fiction. Students will be presented with two sources: one modern and one from the nineteenth century. Despite the fact that students have roughly twice as much reading to do, the exam remains just 1 hour and 45 minutes long. Careful time management is absolutely essential.

The paper is split into two sections:

Section A: Reading (40 marks)

Four questions

40 marks available

Section B: Writing (40 marks)

One extended writing task

40 marks available

Question 5 alone is worth 40 marks, making it one of the highest tariff GCSE questions.

So, what do students have to do for each question?

Question 1 (4 marks)

Students are presented with eight statements and must identify the four that are true.

Top tips:

Read only the specified lines.

Check every statement carefully.

Don't rush.

Read all eight statements before making final decisions.

Question 2 (8 marks)

This is an inference question based on the whole of both sources.

Students need to identify similarities or differences and explain what they can infer from the sources.

A simple structure works well:

Point
Quotation
Inference

Useful words include:

suggests

implies

conveys the impression that

This is not a language analysis question. Students do not need to identify techniques. They need to focus on what the evidence suggests about the people, situations or experiences described and identify differences (or similarities) between the sources.

Question 3 (12 marks)

This is the language analysis question.

Students should focus only on the lines specified in the question.

The key is not spotting methods for the sake of it. Students need to explain why the writer has chosen particular words and what effects those choices create.

Useful questions to ask:

Why this word?

Why not a different word?

What are the connotations?

What impression is created?

Methods worth looking for include:

similes

metaphors

personification

interesting adjectives

powerful verbs.

Students aiming for the higher grades should also look for patterns. Is there an extended metaphor? A semantic field? A contrast running through the passage?

Question 4 (16 marks)

This is the most important question in the reading section and the one that students often underestimate.

Every year examiners report that students do not write enough for Question 4.

Students are asked to compare the viewpoints, feelings, attitudes and perspectives of the two writers.

Whilst methods are important, students need to understand that this is fundamentally a question about what the writers think as well as how those views are presented.

I've been encouraging students to move beyond simple comments such as one writer being positive and the other negative. Often the most interesting answers explore nuance. A writer's perspective may be conflicted. Their attitude may change during the text. They may admire something whilst also criticising it.

Students should analyse:

language

structure

tone

narrative perspective.

The strongest responses compare both the 'what' and the 'how' in equal measure.

Try to use short, carefully selected quotations from both sources and make comments about the overall tone and perspective across the texts.

Most importantly, write enough. This question is worth 16 marks and deserves a substantial response. Two sides minimum is my advice, ideally three.

Question 5 (40 marks)

Once the reading section is complete, students have around 45 minutes available for the writing task.

Students will be asked to write a viewpoint piece expressing their thoughts and opinions in response to a statement.

This could be:

an article

a speech

a letter.

The feedback from examiners is clear: students should be crafting more and writing less.

I've been advising students to use a five or six paragraph structure. This typically produces around two to three sides of the answer booklet.

Writing one side is unlikely to be enough.

Writing four or five sides often leads to repetition and a loss of control.

Students should focus on:

clear organisation

a strong sense of purpose

awareness of audience

thoughtful vocabulary choices

accurate punctuation and spelling.

Many students are taught mnemonics such as DAFOREST or similar collections of rhetorical devices. These can be useful, but they should not drive the response.

This is not a checklist exercise.

Students are rewarded for presenting a coherent argument with a clear viewpoint, not for squeezing in as many devices as possible.

A useful approach is to think of three main arguments which support the overall viewpoint and develop these clearly.

I would generally avoid inventing statistics. If they sound unbelievable, they can undermine the credibility of the piece.

Leave time at the end to proofread carefully.

Check:

capital letters

full stops

paragraphing

spelling.

Be ambitious with vocabulary. If you're considering two words, go for the more ambitious choice. Examiners reward ambitious vocabulary even when spelling isn't perfect.

So, that covers the focus of each of the questions. But what order should they be answered in?

Many schools and teachers advise students to answer the questions in order: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

At this stage, my advice is simple: stick with what has worked for you throughout the year.

However, if after reflecting on Paper 1 you realised that you ran out of time or didn't write enough for questions 4 and 5, it may be worth considering a different approach tomorrow.

Some students benefit from starting with question 5 and then ensuring that enough time is devoted to question 4.

The most important thing is not the order of the questions. The most important thing is making sure that the highest tariff questions receive the time and attention they deserve and that all five questions are answered.

Phew! Final Thoughts

It's been an intense few weeks for students, parents, teachers and tutors alike.

Don't try to learn everything tonight. Focus on understanding the structure of the paper, reminding yourself what each question is asking and getting a good night's sleep.

I've been hugely impressed by the focus, resilience and maturity shown by the students I've worked with this year. Whatever happens tomorrow, they should be proud of the effort they have put in.

My key reminders....

Read the questions carefully.

Manage your time.

Write enough for questions 4 and 5.

Trust your preparation.

Good luck, year 11. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow morning.

Thanks for reading.

Phil 👍 📚

Many year 11 students sat a GCSE Maths exam this morning. Some have exams in other subjects tomorrow but for many students Friday's AQA English Language Paper 2 is now the next challenge on the horizon.

It's been an intense first week back after the half-term break. Students have had to get themselves back into revision mode quickly, balancing several different subjects at once. The good news is that they're over the bump for this week now. Friday's exam, worth 50% of the qualification, is in sight.

I've been working hard to make sure that the students I support know exactly what to expect and how to approach each of the five questions on the paper.

A quick reminder:

• Question 1 – identify four true statements from a list of eight.

• Question 2 – infer differences or similarities from the two sources using evidence to support your ideas.

• Question 3 – analyse how a writer uses language to present ideas.

• Question 4 – compare the viewpoints and perspectives of the two writers. This is worth 16 marks and every year examiners remind students that many answers aren't developed enough.

• Question 5 – write a viewpoint piece, usually a speech, article or letter. This is the biggest question on the paper, worth 40 marks, so students need to leave themselves plenty of time (45 minutes) if they are completing the paper in order.

Timing on Friday is crucial. Students need to make sure that they spend enough time on Questions 4 and 5 because that's where most of the marks are available.

For the writing task, I always encourage students to be ambitious. Craft and accuracy matter, of course, but so does vocabulary. I'd much rather see a student attempt a word like "exhilarating" and misspell it than play safe with words such as "good" or "fun". Examiners reward ambitious vocabulary.

Most importantly, I'd encourage all year 11 students to spend some time tonight and tomorrow looking through a complete Paper 2 exam. They need to remind themselves of the format and what each question is asking them to do. Familiarity builds confidence.

For many students, securing at least a grade 4 in GCSE English Language and Maths is the key to unlocking future opportunities, whether that's sixth form, college, apprenticeships or employment.

Keep calm and carry on revising remains the mantra.

Thanks for reading and good luck to year 11 students and the parents and carers supporting them.

Phil 👍📚

It means so much to receive messages like this from students. I will miss our sessions 😢

Half-term holiday highlight?

Pineapple face masks with my youngest niece.

100% 🤣🍍

Phil 👍📚

The half-term holiday is nearly over. I've loved cheering on the fun runners this morning as they came past the house.

Students will be returning to school tomorrow for the final half-term of the academic year.

I say it every year, but it's true. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone.

For many year 11 students, it's straight back into exams tomorrow.

The slightly cooler weather looks set to continue this week. A welcome relief after the recent heat. Hopefully, it will make exam days more comfortable for students as they continue working their way through the exam season.

For English students on the AQA course, the final hurdle is English Language Paper 2 on Friday 5th June. This is their non-fiction paper focusing on writers' viewpoints and perspectives.

It's also going to be a slightly bittersweet week for me. I'll be saying goodbye to more of my current year 11 students as they attend their final tuition sessions before the exam. It's a privilege to work with young people at such an important stage of their education. Seeing students grow in confidence is hugely rewarding. I'll miss seeing them each week.

Good luck to all year 11 students returning to school tomorrow and to the parents supporting them through these final few exam weeks. The finish line is in sight.

Keep calm and carry on revising remains the mantra.

Thanks for reading.

Phil 👍📚

A highly recommended weekend listen for anyone interested in the power, impact and importance of reading. Link below.

Reading fiction allows us to enter the minds of others. It can offer solace, connection and joy.

Such a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion. I'll be listening again...

Here's to reading.
Phil 👍📚

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002wv4n

Gardening Friday ❤️🌱🍅

An evening of important debate in the Mr East English Tuition household....

Am I holding an ice pole or an ice pop?

Either way, I enjoyed it 😋